Composite White Fillings in Minot, ND

Dakota Dental Health Center provides composite white fillings in Minot, ND. Call 701-852-4755 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

If you have a cavity, it is extremely important to treat it as soon as you can. Untreated cavities will worsen over time, eventually requiring invasive and expensive treatments such as root canals and crowns. Eventually, the tooth may need to be pulled and replaced. Fortunately, a simple composite white filling is an easy solution for a small to medium-sized cavity.

A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is filled with bacteria and decay. During your filling appointment, we will carefully clean away all decay and bacteria, and then fill the hole with a tooth-colored composite resin. This seals and protects the tooth and restores its functioning.

The first step is to use a local anesthetic to carefully numb the affected tooth and the surrounding gums and bone. We will then use a dental drill to remove the decay. The drill is noisy, and you will feel some pressure, but it should not hurt. The actual filling process, in which we seal the hole with composite resin, is extremely quick and easy.

The most common filling material today, composite resin can be precisely matched to your tooth’s color. It is strong and durable, and with proper oral hygiene, it can last for years.

We inject the resin into the tooth in a paste form, carefully shaping and molding it to a precise fit. We build up the resin in layers to ensure that it is even and well-blended with the tooth. We then quickly harden the material under an ultra-violet light, using a process known “photo-polymerization.” The result is safe, durable, highly functional, and extremely aesthetic.

Metal amalgam fillings were the best solution for many years. However, they have quite a few drawbacks. Affected by heat and cold, metal amalgam fillings can cause tooth sensitivity. Dental X-rays are not able to penetrate them, increasing the risk of future tooth decay. Finally, mechanical retention rather than chemical bonding is used to hold the filling in place. This requires an undercut that raises the risk for tooth cracking.

For these reasons, our office does not place metal amalgam fillings. Due to their inherent issues, most people end up needing them replaced within a decade or so. Still, despite all the hype about mercury in the fillings, they are considered safe, and we see no reason to remove them if they are in good condition. Of course, if your metal amalgam filling starts leaking or having any issues, or if you simply prefer that it be replaced, we are always happy to do so.

Call 701-852-4755 to schedule your appointment.