6 Reasons Why You Should Get Composite Fillings

6 Reasons Why You Should Get Composite Fillings

Dental cavities are some of the most common issues we encounter among our patients. Diligent brushing and flossing go a long way toward preventing cavities from developing. But often, despite our best efforts, dental issues like cavities can still rear their ugly heads. And while some patients may choose to ignore clear signs of tooth decay, the problem will never go away on its own. Fortunately, there is a solution for combatting cavities while improving the health and overall appearance of your teeth.

In addition to serving the same basic function as other types of tooth fillings, composite fillings offer several distinct advantages to help improve tooth health and prevent further dental issues from developing. If you’re experiencing cavities, or your doctor has recently told you that you can benefit from fillings, we’re sure you’ll find this list of the top 6 reasons why you should get composite fillings helpful.

  1. Stop Dental Cavities in Their Tracks

    Simply put, a dental cavity is a hole in the tooth which occurs as a result of bacterial buildup eating away at healthy tooth tissue. Composite fillings fill these cavities and cover up any exposed tissue, preventing further bacterial spread or debris from entering the tooth.
    However, simply filling a dental cavity isn’t enough to stop the spread of tooth decay. When you come for your filling, the doctor will first clean out the cavity and remove any infected tissue. Once the doctor is satisfied that all the infected tissue has been removed, only then will they apply the composite compound to fill the cavity. 

  2. Strengthen Tooth Structure

    Cavities affect more than appearance– they also weaken the overall structure of your tooth, making it more susceptible to breaking or cracking. The material used in composite fillings closely matches the strength and resilience of your natural teeth. When applied to your tooth cavities, composite fillings reinforce the tooth structure and help to prevent cracking or breaking as a result of cavities. 

  3. A Natural Appearance

    Unlike amalgam fillings which are made of metal, or ceramic fillings, composite fillings are made from a mixture of resin and minerals, and can be made to match the exact color of your natural teeth. This gives composite fillings a distinct advantage over other types of dental fillings by being able to restore both tooth functionality and appearance. After receiving your composite fillings, people will likely never even know you have dental fillings at all.

  4. Improve Tooth Color

    Composite fillings not only match the natural color of teeth, but they can also improve it. If your teeth are badly stained from the continued use of products like coffee, redwine, or tobacco, composite fillings can be used to cover the stains and restore the natural tooth color. Fillings can also address damage caused by grinding or clenching teeth which can lead to a loss of natural tooth color. 

  5. Stop Tooth Decay Before it Begins

    Cavities aren’t the only issues composite fillings can correct. Over time, your teeth may begin to develop small pockets or holes that don’t technically qualify as cavities, but can develop into cavities if left untreated. By using composite fillings to correct these issues early, you may prevent tooth decay from developing later on. Consult your dentist if you notice early signs of cavities. 

  6. Repair Cracked or Fractured Teeth

    Teeth may fracture for any number of reasons. Once your teeth crack, they lose strength and can even break if not treated. Fortunately, the same composite resin material used in composite fillings can be used by dentists to repair cracks in the teeth, essentially fusing the fractured teeth together and helping prevent the crack from worsening over time. 

Barton Dental - Hamilton

Request an Appointment Today

Call 866-317-7498