Composite Resin Fillings – United Dental Care | Culver City CA
Cavities can lead to more oral problems if not addressed in their early stages. One of the best solutions to this issue is first remove the cavities and then apply a composite resin dental filling.
So, don’t hesitate to have dental fillings if you notice cavities or small holes in your teeth. Avoid further dental problems by visiting Culver City Dentist United Dental Care.
Nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are estimated to be affected by oral diseases, according to the WHO Global Oral Health Status Report (2022). However, most dental health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages.
Yes! You’re not mistaken. Even a simple preventive dental restoration process, such as a dental filling, can significantly impact oral health.
Composite Resin Dental Fillings: Things You Need to Know
At Culver City Dentist United Dental Care, we use composite resin as the main material for dental fillings.
With its more natural appearance, the composite filling can be customized to match the shade of your tooth, making them almost unnoticeable.
This material is also used for a variety of dental restorations, including veneers, inlays, and crowns.
Composite Resin vs. Amalgam
It might be a surprise for you. But a composite resin filling is a better aesthetic alternative to its traditional counterpart, which is amalgam.
While dentists over the years have sworn by the durability and endurance of an amalgam filling, none of them would recommend it for cosmetic purposes.
On the other hand, today’s composite resin fillings offer not only the sparkle of a natural pearly-white tooth. They also match the toughness and versatility of amalgam.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Amalgam | • Durable and may last over a decade or more • Cheaper compared to other types of dental fillings • Can fill large cavities |
• Not aesthetically pleasing because they’re noticeable • Prone to expanding and contracting, thus might become brittle over time • Usage of this material has become rare |
| Composite Resin | • Looks practically invisible for they blend well with your natural teeth. • Resin compound bonds perfectly to tooth enamel, making the material less likely to break or pop out • It doesn’t expand or contract because it is not affected by temperature |
• May only last up to five or seven years and may require replacement sooner • They aren’t cheap compared to amalgam • The filling procedure for composite resins may take longer, which can take a toll on patients with dental anxiety, special needs, or kids. |
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Determining the costs of your filling depends on two main factors: the shape and position /location of the tooth.
Without dental insurance, composite fillings in California might run around $250 to $450 for one or more surfaces of the tooth. With insurance, however, composite fillings can cost over $200 in most cases, again depending on the shape and position of your tooth.
At Culver City Dentist United Dental Care, we accept the following dental coverage:
• Denti-Cal
• Delta Dental
• Guardian
• Aetna
• BlueCross BlueShield
• MetLife
• United Concordia Dental
If you don’t have dental coverage, you can try our special personal membership offers that let you save up to 25 % on fillings, extractions, and crowns.
How long do composite fillings last?
One study suggested that composite resin fillings’ lifespan may extend up to 7 years. There are, however, multiple studies that predicted it might last up to 10 years given if it’s provided proper care.
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When is a dental filling recommended?
We often recommend dental fillings when your teeth have minor cracks, chips, wear, damage, or cavities that are still in their early stages. However, if the damage is extensive enough or severe, our dentist may decide to use alternative procedures like:
1. Dental crowns are used when a significant portion of your teeth breaks or has lots of decay.
2. Dental veneers are used when a significant portion of the front teeth is broken or decayed.
3. Root Canal Treatment used when a chip or break is large enough to expose the pulp making it vulnerable to the bacteria in your mouth.
The Dental Filling Procedure
A dental filling procedure is typically painless and takes an hour or more to complete. Here’s how we do it at Culver City Dentist United Dental Care:
Step 1: First, you need to make an online appointment for dental evaluation.
Step 2: Our dentist will run an x-ray to know the extent of tooth decay. This process will help our dentist better decide if composite resin fillings are the best-suited treatment for you.
Step 3: When the area is already numb, our dentist will start removing the cavities or the damaged portion of your teeth.
Step 4: Before we start the filling process, we will apply a numbing gel or anesthesia on the tooth area.
Step 5: It is followed by applying a cleansing gel to remove the remaining debris and bacteria. The filling material is then applied to fill the tooth. Then it will undergo the process of hardening using a special bonding light.
Step 6: Finally, our dentist will smooth out rough edges and polish the tooth to conclude the procedure.
After the procedure, your mouth will remain numb for a couple of hours, and it is highly recommended that you avoid eating or drinking until the numbness is gone. This will prevent you from accidentally biting your tongue or the side of your cheeks. You may experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures for a few days or weeks after the procedure. Ask your dentist what to do to ease your discomfort.
How to take care of dental fillings?
Doing what is necessary to maintain your fillings can extend their lifespan. Listed below are the things you can do to take care of your fillings.
- After every meal, floss and brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid eating very hot or cold food.
- Limit yourself from eating hard, chewy or sticky food because they can put too much pressure on your fillings.
- Avoid biting into hard objects (e.g., fingernails, bottle caps, or pens) to prevent them from breaking.
- Minimize drinking coffee, tea, or wine because they can stain your fillings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
There is no definite number of times you can fill a tooth. However, if your natural tooth structure is not strong enough to hold your fillings, your dentist might recommend another treatment.
Experiencing sensitivity after tooth filling is normal. To deal with this experience, you may do the following:
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs
- Choose warm foods or drinks
- Avoid acidic foods or drinks
- Gently brush and floss your teeth
- Use desensitizing toothpaste
Yes, it can be removed. Sometimes, the fillings will loosen due to some circumstances (e.g., damaged fillings or not bonded to the tooth) that will lead to their removal.
Yes, you need fillings even if you don’t feel pain or discomfort. Normally, you will not feel pain in the early stages of having a cavity unless it is already too big or deep. Fillings are one way to prevent further damage caused by cavities.
Yes, you can break a filling while flossing though it may be rare. When flossing, do it gently so it will not damage your fillings.
It depends on what type of fillings you have. If you have a gold filling, you probably need to replace it after 30 years, and sometimes you don’t have to replace it anymore. For amalgams, it may take 25 years and above before replacing them. Tooth-colored fillings and porcelain may take 15 years before replacement, and glass ionomers will take seven years. But if you are not taking care of your fillings, you may replace them more often.
A filling will only cause bad breath when it is not put properly. Having bad breath caused by problem fillings is due to the cavities underneath it that will also give a bad taste in your mouth.
Yes, white fillings can be stained. That is why it is highly recommended to lessen drinking coffee,
tea, wine, and other drinks with colors because they can leave stains in your fillings.
Need Dental Fillings? Visit our Dental Office in Culver City
Do you need dental fillings? Don’t worry! Culver City Dentist United Dental Care got your back.
We have always given our patients the best care possible ever since, and we guarantee that you will also receive the same treatment from us.
Book an appointment or call us at (310) 390-6000.