Fillings in San Tan Valley, AZ

Composite fillings act as a dentistry solution for problems such as tooth decay or cracks. A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. This procedure is also utilized for cosmetic improvements of the smile by fixing any discoloration or reshaping any disfigured teeth.

• Tooth-colored material that blends with your natural enamel
• Bonds directly to the tooth, conserving healthy structure
• Usually completed comfortably in a single visit
• Also used to reshape or improve the look of a tooth
• Sedation available if dental work makes you anxious

The most immediate benefit is appearance. Composite is shaded to match your tooth, so a repaired molar or front tooth looks like a tooth rather than a patch of metal. For anything visible when you talk, that difference is significant. Composite also bonds chemically to the tooth, which means less healthy structure has to be removed to hold the filling in place. Older materials relied on mechanical shaping for grip, so more of the tooth had to go. Keeping more natural tooth is the single best predictor of how long that tooth lasts. Because it bonds, composite can also rebuild a tooth's shape — closing a small gap, repairing a chipped corner, or smoothing an uneven edge — in the same appointment as the repair itself.

The area is numbed first, then the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is removed and the surface is cleaned and prepared. Dr. Gifford matches the composite shade to your surrounding teeth before placing it. The material is placed in layers, each one hardened with a curing light before the next is added. Layering is what allows the filling to be built to the exact contour of your tooth. Once complete, the filling is shaped and your bite is checked and adjusted so it feels natural when you close. Composite hardens fully during the appointment, so you can eat as soon as the numbness wears off. Some temporary sensitivity to hot and cold is normal for a few days. If you are nervous about treatment, nitrous oxide is available and works well for routine fillings.