"Creating beautiful, natural looking teeth"
Composite is a white filling material which is hand crafted directly inside the mouth for a number of reasons including the repair of decayed or badly broken teeth. Composite can also be used to improve the appearance of the smile by enhancing the shape and colour of chipped, worn and discoloured teeth.
Tooth decay will usually only become noticeable, when you start to develop pain or experience the shock of unexpectedly breaking a tooth. Unfortunately, at this stage it becomes very difficult to save the tooth with just a filling.
At Didcot Dental Studio we have a strong focus on prevention. That is why we recommend regular check-ups and x-rays to spot any signs of decay at the earliest time, and carry out fillings when it is the most predictable and long-lasting.
1. The tooth will be anaesthetised, so that the procedure is completely pain free
2. A rubber dam will be placed. This is a blue sheet that allows you to rest your jaw on it throughout the procedure whilst preventing any excess water dripping down the back of your throat
3. Decay removal. The decay will be painlessly removed leaving just the healthy tooth structure which will then be disinfecte
4. The composite will then be carefully placed to replicate the shape and colour of a natural, healthy tooth.
Appointments can vary between 30 – 90 minutes depending on the number and size of the fillings.
Composite is composed of microscopic glass particles suspended in a background of resin. It is mercury free and tooth coloured. When being placed inside the mouth it is originally soft so it can be sculpted and moulded to replicate the shape of a tooth. A strong UV light is then used to set the material hard.
At Didcot Dental Studio one of our key values is that dental treatment should be painless. Therefore, we will provide local anaesthetic which has been warmed to body temperature so that you do not feel any discomfort during the appointment. It is unusual to have pain after the procedure, however some patients may experience some sensitivity particularly if the filling is quite large. This generally only lasts a few days or weeks if it occurs.
On average composite fillings can last between 5-7 years. There are usually many different factors to consider such as the size of the filling or how well it is maintained by the patient which can dictate longevity.
A temporary filling is often placed to protect the underlying damaged tooth structure, till a permanent filling is placed. Temporary fillings are not usually made up of composite.
The bacteria in our mouth use the sugar consumed from things like fizzy drinks, juices and chocolates as a food supply. As the bacteria feed on these sugars they release acids as a by-product which dissolves teeth causing decay, cavities and pain.
Our dentists are expertly trained using the latest techniques and the highest quality of materials. Therefore, the fillings will not be noticeable, the only people who will know the filling exists is you, your dentist and nurse.
