Dentist using a dental curing light to examine a patient's teeth, highlighting modern dental practices for cavity prevention and oral health.

 What Kinds of Benefits Do Composite Fillings Offer?

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Finding out that you need a filling might have you assuming you’ll get a metal one that everyone can see. But that’s not always the case. Our dentist in St. Louis, MO, at Smile Now STL offers tooth-colored composite fillings as a more discreet option for damaged and decayed teeth. Let’s explore some of the advantages of choosing this type of filling.

Natural Tooth Appearance

Composite resin material has the coloring of natural teeth, making it more subtle than gold or other types of metal fillings. That makes it a great option for treating front teeth.

Enhanced Smile

Since composite fillings are tooth-colored, they give you a natural-looking smile. Choosing these also helps improve the appearance of teeth with visible damage or decay, resulting in a dazzling smile.

Single Visit in Most Cases

Composite fillings may only require visiting our office one time for this treatment. Being able to provide this service in a single visit offers more convenience for you and your schedule.

Versatile Uses

Did you know that we can use composite fillings for many purposes? They’re used to treat teeth with decay or cavities. But they can also be used to cover chipped, cracked, or stained teeth.

Durability and Safety

Fillings made with composite resin hold up well, though they may not last as long as gold. They’re less likely to develop cracks as silver amalgam fillings can, making them a safer option for you, too.

Visit Our Dentist for Composite Fillings!

Do you have a tooth that needs a filling for decay or damage? At Smile Now STL, our dental team offers composite fillings in St. Louis, MO, as a more natural-looking restoration option compared to metal fillings.

Dentist examining a patient's teeth while discussing composite fillings at Smile Now STL dental practice in St. Louis, MO.

What Are the Main Benefits of Composite Fillings?

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Do you have a decayed or damaged tooth that needs a filling? Traditional amalgam fillings aren’t your only option. Composite fillings are another type to consider, especially with all of the advantages they provide. At Smile Now STL, our dentist in St. Louis, MO, offers composite fillings for many reasons.

Durability

Though not as long-lasting as amalgam, composite fillings are still durable. They’re strong enough to withstand chewing and other pressure with a low risk of damage.

Short Treatment Time

You may be able to have composite fillings done in a single visit. They sometimes take a bit longer than traditional fillings due to their layers, but they generally take one visit to complete. Note that you may experience increased temperature sensitivity temporarily afterward.

Damage-Resistant

Composite fillings are strong enough to resist damage, such as fractures or cracks. It’s still important to follow our advice on caring for these fillings to ensure that they last as long as possible.

Tooth-Colored for Aesthetic Appeal

One of the drawbacks of amalgam fillings is that they’re easy to notice, since they’re made of metal. Composite fillings have the same coloring as your natural teeth, giving them better visual appeal.

Versatile Uses

Composite fillings aren’t just used for tooth decay treatment. We also use them for cosmetic purposes, such as correcting minor imperfections in teeth to help enhance your smile!

Set Up an Appointment for Composite Fillings!

Do you need a filling for one or more teeth? At Smile Now STL, our dental team offers composite fillings in St. Louis, MO, for a natural appearance and durability. We can help you decide if this is the best type of filling for your teeth!

Dental procedure in progress, patient receiving composite filling treatment, dentist using dental tools, focused on enhancing smile and addressing tooth decay.

Need A Cavity Filling? What To Expect

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A cavity can be a stressful problem to have. When you need a cavity filling, knowing what to expect can make the experience better overall.

Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, can answer your questions and tell you about the procedure. This article will tell you about what a cavity filling is and what to expect during the cavity filling procedure.

What Is A Cavity Filling?

A cavity is a hole in your tooth. Cavities are the result of tooth decay, which occurs in patients with high-sugar diets and poor oral hygiene habits. A cavity filling is a material that your dentist installs in the tooth to fill the hole and stop the decay from spreading. Cavity fillings come in two types: amalgam and composite. Amalgam fillings are dark gray or silver. They’re long-lasting and durable, as well.

Cavity Filling Options

Composite fillings are made from composite resin. These fillings are tooth-colored. Many people choose composite fillings for cavities near the front of their teeth.

What Happens During the Procedure

When you get a cavity filling, the dentist will start by numbing the area. Then, the dentist will drill into the tooth to remove the decayed material. Once the decayed tooth enamel is removed, the dentist will insert the filling. Getting a cavity filling can take less than an hour, and for some patients, getting a filling takes about twenty minutes.

You may not have any symptoms if you have a cavity, but many people notice pain and discomfort around the tooth. If you think you have a cavity, it’s important to get a dental checkup in St. Louis, MO. Call your dentist today, and let them know if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort.

Digital illustration of a tooth composed of glowing blue lines and dots, representing dental health and technology, relevant to cavity fillings and dental care services in St. Louis, MO.

How Can I Tell If My Filling Fell Out?

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Fillings can stay in your mouth for a very long time, but eventually, fillings fall out. If this happens, you may notice a range of symptoms.

When you know how to tell that a filling has fallen out, it’s easier to tell that you need help from a dentist in St. Louis, MO. If you think that you may have lost a filling, talk to your dentist. Your dentist will be able to tell whether you have lost a filling or another dental problem has occurred.

Signs Your Filling Fell Out

If your filling falls out, you may actually feel the filling in your mouth. Spit out the filling out! Try not to swallow it.

You may feel pain as soon as it falls out, or you may notice that your tooth is sensitive. You may also be able to feel the hole in your tooth. This hole in your tooth is one of the most obvious signs that your filling has fallen out.

How Long Do Fillings Last?

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings last about 5 to 7 years, while amalgam fillings (silver or black fillings) last 15 years or more. You can make your fillings last longer by visiting the dentist regularly and avoiding chewing on anything that isn’t food (like a pen cap or ice).

What to Do If Your Filling Fell Out

If your filling falls out, you could be at risk for a range of problems like dental decay and dental infection. See your dentist for cavity fillings in St. Louis, MO. The dentist can hlep you get treatment. Your dentist will be able to clean out the hole, remove any decayed tooth enamel, and install a new filling. Call today.

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Can Teeth Fillings Help You Prevent Tooth Loss?

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Fillings are one of the most routine procedures you can get at the dentist, so it’s often easy to discount their importance. If you think you can skip a filling or two, we’ll look at the potential consequences of failing to care for your teeth.

Tooth Decay and You

Tooth decay can happen to anyone at any time. Kids, teens, young adults, middle-aged adults, and senior citizens can all experience some degree of tooth decay (even if the proportions are wildly different). When a dentist in St. Louis, MO recommends a filling, it’s because they found a small hole in the tooth. This filling makes the tooth whole again, so it can withstand everyday wear and tear.

What Happens If You Don’t Get a Filling?

The answer depends on the person in question. For some people, the process of tooth decay is very slow. However, the longer the tooth goes unfilled, the worse the decay will get. At some point, the hole will become too large for a filling. In that case, you may need a root canal to kill the nerve and then protect the tooth with a crown. In the worst-case scenario, the dentist will need to remove the tooth entirely.

Fillings in St. Louis, MO

While tooth extractions are nearly as common as fillings, it helps avoid them if possible. If you’re looking to get a tooth filling in St. Louis, MO, the staff at Smile Now STL can help you get everything taken care of faster than you think. Contact us today for this routine procedure before you need a more involved one down the line!

Smiling couple embracing, showcasing healthy teeth, highlighting dental care importance at Smile Now STL in St. Louis, MO.

What’s the Difference Between Amalgam and Composite Dental Fillings?

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Cavities can be painful. When you have a cavity, it’s important to get it treated with a filling as soon as possible. Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, can help. At Smile Now STL, we help patients by installing dental fillings. We offer amalgam and composite dental fillings to give patients their choice. If you have a dental cavity and aren’t sure which type of filling is right for you, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Amalgam Fillings?

An amalgam filling is made of metal, including copper, silver, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are silver when they’re installed, so they’re often called “silver” fillings. Over time, this color may darken to black.

Amalgam fillings have been used in patient teeth for many decades. These fillings are strong, long-lasting, and durable.

What Are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings are fillings that are made from a tooth-colored resin. Composite fillings fill the cavity hole and help restore the tooth to its original appearance. These fillings don’t last as long as amalgam fillings, but many patients prefer composite fillings because of their appearance.

If you have a cavity near the front of your mouth, a composite filling will hide the hole and restore your smile.

Which Type of Fillings Should I Get?

Your dentist can help you decide which type of filling is best. Composite fillings aren’t always covered by insurance, so your dentist may need to help you choose based on your priorities and budget.

Need A Cavity Filled? Talk To Your Dentist

If you need a cavity filling in St. Louis, MO, call the dental professionals at Smile Now STL. We can help you choose the right filling material for you.