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Tooth Fillings

Tooth Fillings

Tooth Fillings

When you ask, how long do composite fillings last? — your New Orleans dental team is quick to point out how important it is to maintain good oral health habits and regular dental checkups. And the composite fillings cost is negligible compared to your self-esteem and confidence restored with a winning smile in New Orleans. Call today for a consultation and learn about the differences between amalgam fillings vs. composite fillings.

You don’t need to worry anymore about rows of dark, silvery fillings in your mouth. Tooth-colored plastic and glass mixtures have been developed as restorative materials for your teeth. And while New Orleans dentists have long used amalgam fillings to replace decayed tooth structures, the silver-colored fillings are noticeable and often unsightly, depending on their location in your mouth.

Composite resin fillings, on the other hand, provide a more natural and pleasing appearance for your restoration needs. Modern cosmetic dentistry has evolved to make the results of this common procedure more natural-looking than ever before. And your dental team at New Orleans-based Comfort Smiles Dentistry always looks out for both your oral health and your dazzling smile.

Tooth Fillings

Tooth Fillings
in New Orleans

When you visit Comfort Smiles, your smile is our top priority. Dr. DuBois and his dental team are dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve. Our dentist provides general, restorative and cosmetic dental services designed to assist each patient in achieving and maintaining long-term dental health and a beautiful smile.

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Do you have questions about Affordable Dentures in New Orleans? Would you like to schedule an appointment with one of the best rated Cosmetic dentists in New Orleans? 
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Tooth Fillings

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AMALGAM FILLINGS VS. COMPOSITE FILLINGS

Amalgam is a combination of mercury, silver, tin, zinc, and copper — is one of the toughest materials for fillings. It’s even used for large fillings in your molars, where the bite pressure is greatest. However, the silver color makes them very noticeable, especially if your appearance plays an important role in your career or work prospects.

Composite fillings provide an inexpensive alternative. Comprised of tooth-colored resin to mimic your natural teeth, composites combine the positives of the other choices with aesthetically pleasing options. When the choice is between amalgam fillings vs. composite fillings, the difference is between very strong fillings for your back teeth and a more natural-looking restoration for your front teeth. Because composite fillings are so versatile, your dentist can use them for a wide variety of issues, including:

  • Repairing and reshaping a tooth after the decayed material is removed
  • Reshaping your teeth if they’re cracked or chipped
  • Improving the appearance of teeth that are permanently discolored
  • Reducing gaps between teeth that are unsightly or that encourage decay
  • Protecting the tooth’s root if it has become exposed due to the gum receding

 

PROCEDURE AND PROCESS FOR TOOTH FILLINGS

Since fillings are used to replace decayed material or cavities, you usually feel relief quickly once the filling is in place. Your Mid City dental team works to ensure that you have less pain and are satisfied with the appearance of your composite fillings. Your cosmetic dentist:

  • Locates the exact location of your cavity with X‑rays and by examining your tooth with dental tools
  • Makes sure you’re comfortable by administering a local anesthetic to block pain
  • Uses a dental drill to remove the decayed material from your tooth
  • Cleans the cavity, providing a pristine environment for the filling
  • May place a base or liner of glass ionomer, composite resin or other material to reduce sensitivity if the cavity is deep or near the root of your tooth
  • Places several layers of composite resin into the tooth, building up the layers slowly and hardening each with a high-intensity blue light to bond them to your tooth
  • Shapes, cleans and polishes the final tooth to even out your bite

 

Your New Orleans dentist can also use composite fillings to repair a traumatized tooth. Rough spots from an uneven bite or enamel erosion with accompanying tooth sensitivity can also be remedied with composite fillings.

AFTERCARE FOR TOOTH FILLINGS

Regardless of whether you receive a filling for cavity repair or to fix a traumatized tooth, recovery and aftercare are the same. You may experience some slight soreness in your jaw and the surrounding tissue. Usually, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers if the soreness is noticeably uncomfortable, but any discomfort fades within several days.

You’ll notice the pain from your cavity and tooth sensitivity disappears almost immediately after getting the filling, allowing you to return to normal eating and speaking. Reducing sugary foods and drinks — and committing to good oral care, as well as regular dental cleanings and checkups — help keep you pain-free. Follow these tips to keep your fillings in good shape, too.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TOOTH FILLINGS

Composite fillings are now more commonly used than most other fillings because of their many advantages. Natural-looking and one of the easiest and most affordable procedures for tooth restoration or alteration, composite fillings can usually be completed in one visit, depending on the number of teeth involved. Aftercare is the same as with your natural teeth. Composite fillings cost between $100 and $400 per tooth.

Composite fillings don’t resist stains quite as well as porcelain or crowns, and they have a tendency to slowly wear or chip away. How long do composite fillings last? Anywhere from three to 10 years, depending on the location in your mouth.

Composite fillings costs have dropped due to advances in modern dentistry science. Advances are being made every day to increase just how long composite fillings last. And one of the best advantages is that your smile never looked better.

Do you have questions about Tooth Fillings in New Orleans? Would you like to schedule an appointment with one of the best Cosmetic dentists in New Orleans? Please contact our office.