Dental fillings are a necessary part of dental care. They help restore teeth riddled with cavities and minor tooth decay. Without them, teeth would be more vulnerable to pain, infections, and extensive treatments like dental crowns. 

High Forest Dental in Littleton, Colorado, uses the latest technology and materials to ensure your fillings are strong and life-looking. Dr. Allison Brown offers composite fillings to help you overcome dental cavities. These tooth-colored fillings are natural-looking and conservative and blend perfectly with the tooth to seal out unwanted bacteria.

Restore Your Cavity-Laden Teeth with Composite Fillings

When food debris, bacteria, and saliva mix, they form a sticky, colorless film (plaque) that clings to your teeth. Bacteria in plaque consume sugars from food, producing acid as a byproduct. The acidic oral environment leads to the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel through demineralization.

Over time, cavities develop as small holes form on the enamel. Cavities don’t just cause pain and sensitivity. Without treatment, cavities can lead to tooth loss. When the cavity progresses to the nerve-containing pulp, your tooth dies, and the infection spreads to nearby structures. An infected tooth can be treated, but if you delay treatment, your tooth may need to be extracted.

It doesn’t have to be that way! Cavities are easily and painlessly treatable with dental fillings. Fillings restore your tooth and protect it from further damage. With proper care, a filling can last as many as ten years.

What To Expect During Cavity Treatment

Treating your cavity with composite resin is one of the most straightforward procedures in dentistry. The procedure only requires 30-60 minutes with the steps below.

• Tooth examination: We examine your tooth to determine the extent of damage and whether a filling is sufficient to restore your tooth. Sometimes, we use dental x-rays to unearth hidden cavities, such as those located between teeth.
• Tooth preparation: After anesthetizing your gums, we will remove the decayed/damaged portions of the tooth and clean and sanitize the area to prepare the tooth for a filling.
• Filling application: Then, we will fill the cavity left with composite material. Depending on the depth of the cavity, you may need a single layer or multiple layers of composite filling. After filling your tooth, we’ll use a curing light to harden the material for a lasting restoration. 
• Final touches: We will shape and polish your tooth to make it look and feel natural. We’ll test your bite until we get a proper fit to ensure you experience no problems when eating.

Typically, composite fillings last 8-10 years. While several factors affect the longevity of your filling, good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and bi-annual dental appointments, can make your fillings last as long as possible.

Advantages of Composite Fillings

When we identify cavities during your routine dental exam, we recommend treatment immediately. Still, when you spot a cavity at home, you should see our dentist immediately to fix the damage. Delaying treatment causes unnecessary discomfort and the need for costly, extensive treatments. 

Many filling types exist, but our office prefers composite fillings. These tooth-colored fillings offer numerous benefits, including:

• Durability
• Aesthetically appealing results
• Minimally invasive treatment
• Non-toxic materials
• The material doesn’t change in size when subjected to temperature changes
• Appropriate for patients with metal sensitivity

Overcome Cavities with Tooth-Colored Fillings

Don’t let tooth decay compromise your beautiful smile. Instead, call (303) 951-3717 to schedule an appointment with High Forest Dental. No cavity is too small or too big for our team. We use tooth-colored fillings and other restorative treatments to help you achieve a damage-free smile. 

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