Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are a plastic material that is customizable to match your teeth. Because composite materials contain absolutely no mercury, some experts feel it is a safer option than the old black amalgam fillings of the past.

While most dentists believe amalgam fillings to be completely safe and appropriate treatment for dental decay, some dentists would rather not take that risk. Some patients complain of hot and cold sensitivity with amalgam fillings, as well. Because they are metal, they are better conductors than composites.

Additionally, we preserve more of your tooth structure when placing a composite filling as opposed to an amalgam filling because less prep work is necessary. While composites generally take a little more time because of the curing process, your filling will be as hard as it will get when you leave our office. That means you can chew on it right away, unlike amalgam fillings that must cure for hours before chewing on them.

While composites tend to cost a little more, the benefits of using them are many. Aside from the obvious aesthetic advantages, composite materials and techniques constantly improve making them as long lasting and reliable as amalgams. If you have questions about composite fillings, please do not hesitate to ask.

Composite fillings come in many shades and when Dr. Reagan Grizzle polishes them to a smooth shine, you cannot tell the difference between your filling and your tooth. Sometimes people chose to replace their old amalgam fillings because they darken your tooth and make it look gray.

However, aside from replacing black mercury fillings, we often use composite material to improve the appearance of your smile. When you have small flaws in your teeth, you may feel self-conscious. We can fix many of the minor flaws with composite. Flaws such as gaps, chips, and worn teeth may not need a crown or veneer. The benefit of using composite to treat more minor cosmetic flaws is that we do not need to do extensive prep work on your tooth. Any time we can preserve your natural tooth is a win in our book.

If you have cosmetic flaws in your smile that you do not like, call and set up an evaluation. We can let you know all of your options once we do a thorough evaluation and describe all of your options. Cosmetic treatments like whitening and dental bonding are much quicker, easier, and more affordable than you might imagine. Dr. Reagan Grizzle can help you make the decision that best suits your needs.

Dr. Reagan Grizzle can help most people who have a chipped or misshapen tooth with dental bonding, a veneer, or a crown. Normal wear, a bad bite, or biting into something hard can cause a chipped tooth. Chips feel rough and can be unsightly. They also unlock the door to decay. Often times, depending on the severity of the chip, we can address it with cosmetic dental bonding.

Dental bonding utilizes the white composite material that we use for white fillings to fix chipped and worn teeth. One of the advantages of dental bonding is the minimal prep work required. Minimal prep means little to no extra damage to your natural tooth and a less expensive procedure. Bonding can cover a chip and protect your tooth from decay. It can also smooth those sharp edges from a chipped tooth and restore the beauty of your smile.

Sometimes, the damage may be too severe and require a crown or veneer to properly protect and stabilize your tooth. Dr. Reagan Grizzle will always be honest with you about the treatment that will give you the best results. We want your dentistry to look great, feel completely comfortable and be a good investment by lasting a long time.
 

Many patients have concerns about their mercury fillings and wonder if they should have them replaced either because they are breaking down or because they have an ugly appearance. Dr. Reagan Grizzle is extremely skilled at replacing your amalgam fillings with more attractive composite fillings. His expertise can make the process of filling replacement easy and safe. Dr. Grizzle has replaced thousands of old fillings with new stable ones.

Any fillings can break down over time because of the force of chewing and the conditions inside your mouth. Once fillings break down, you could get secondary decay around the margins of your fillings. Secondary decay can put your teeth at risk and may cause deep decay and pain. So, if you notice sensitivity or pain in your teeth, let us know right away. We can do an exam to determine the cause and get you taken care of and back on track to good health.

If your metal fillings have come loose or are leaking, let us know and we can replace them with tooth-colored composite fillings. If you want them replaced for other reasons, such as aesthetics, schedule a consultation appointment so we can discuss the pros and cons of replacing your fillings.
 

At our Sugar Land dental office, our patients want to look great and feel great. We often have requests for composite (white) fillings because the main advantage of having white fillings is that they blend in with your natural teeth.

Composite material comes in a variety of shades and we choose the one that will make your dental work disappear. The untrained eye will never know that you have fillings. We understand you do not to distract people with your dentistry and we don’t blame you. Your dentistry should enhance your beauty, not take away from it.

Composite fillings are also great for some other reasons. First, they last a long time. With proper care, your composite fillings can last for 7-10 years before needing replacement. In many cases, they never need replacing. In addition, we utilize composites to make minor cosmetic repairs to your teeth. If you have chips, gaps, or other flaws in the surface of your teeth, we can choose a custom shade and repair your tooth at a fraction of the cost of a crown or veneer.

Composite fillings help to preserve your tooth structure because they require minimal prep work. We remove only the affected area of your tooth structure and leave the rest completely intact.