Shiny white teeth have always been the cornerstone of healthy, beautiful smiles we see on TV and in beauty magazines. Regrettably, after years of indulging in sugary foods and slack in dental hygiene, you can lose your healthy teeth to cavities. Sometimes, cavities are genetic, signaling a long battle from childhood to adulthood.

Thankfully, there are several ways to win the battle against cavities. Optimal oral hygiene, dental sealants, and limiting the intake of sugary foods can go a long way in keeping cavities in check. However, where damage has already occurred, dental white fillings from Crestwood Dental Group can restore your tooth’s appearance and structure.

Composite Fillings Procedure

Cavity treatment is one of the most tolerated dental procedures because it’s painless and pretty straightforward. After Dr. James Maxwell evaluates your teeth using a dental probe and digital X-rays, the next step is to numb for comfort throughout the procedure.

Next, we drill out the decayed/damaged part of the tooth — here, you won’t feel pain but expect to feel the pressure and hear the sound. A dental drill is used for only a few minutes. Once the decayed part is out, we cleanse the area to eliminate bacteria and then apply an acidic gel to roughen the tooth surface to form a strong bond for the composite resin to attach. 

The final step is applying the composite resin. The application is done layer by layer, then hardened in place using a special light. The final layer is molded to take your tooth’s shape, and then it’s polished to resemble your natural tooth. The end result is nearly invisible.

After the Filling Procedure

Immediately after the treatment, you can bounce back to your usual self, including driving yourself back to work. However, avoid chewing or eating anything for about 1-2 hours until the anesthesia wears off. Once you regain your mouth, you can go back to your routine diet.

Dr. Maxwell will advise you to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit a dentist twice a year to keep cavities at bay. During these appointments, we will check the condition of your fillings and detect whether other cavities have sneaked into your mouth.

Why We Prefer Composite Fillings

Ever had amalgam dental fillings? If yes, you already know how they stand out when you smile. Plus, they expand and contract as temperatures change. In our dental office, we prefer composite fillings because they are:

• Conservative — involves less drilling, which preserves much of your tooth
• Natural-looking — tooth-colored fillings treat cavities without compromising your natural esthetics
• Safe — they don’t change in size, regardless of the change in temperature

Dental Fillings Near Me

Want to say goodbye to your cavities in St. Louis, Missouri? Please dial (314) 463-5655 to book an appointment with Crestwood Dental Group for cavity treatment. We offer tooth-colored fillings that get rid of your cavities while preserving your natural esthetics.