7 Hidden Benefits of Choosing Composite Teeth Fillings Over the Rest

Many people still walk around with old silver amalgam fillings in their mouths. But today, getting a cavity fixed doesn’t mean having noticeable metal in your mouth. At Swanson Family Dental, Drs. Rob Swanson, Jessica Swanson, and Taylor Steffans use composite teeth fillings to protect your teeth without ruining your smile. Below are seven benefits of regular dental checkups and choosing composite fillings for your smile.

1. Regular Dental  Checkups: Your First Line of Defense

The easiest way to deal with cavities is to stop them before they get serious. That’s where regular checkups come in. Seeing a dentist at Swanson Family Dental every six months for a cleaning and exam can catch tiny spots of decay when they’re still easy to fix. 

2. Tooth-Colored Fillings Look Just Like Your Natural Teeth

The most obvious benefit of composite teeth fillings is how they look. Or rather, how it doesn’t look. Because the resin material is tinted to match the exact color of your tooth, it’s pretty much invisible. No dark metal spots when you laugh or talk. No one will know you’ve had dental work done, and you might even forget it’s there yourself. 

3. Non-Invasive Filling to Preserve Your Tooth Structure

When you get a metal filling, a dentist has to remove healthy parts of your tooth to make sure the filling will stay put. Composite resin works differently. It bonds directly to the surface of your tooth, so a dentist only needs to remove the decayed part. 

4. A Cavity Prevention Filling Has a Stronger Bond

That direct bonding we just mentioned does more than just hold the filling in place. It actually helps make your tooth stronger. The composite material integrates with your tooth, reinforcing the structure that was made weak by decay. This provides great support and helps protect it in the future.

5. Versatility: Composite Resin Isn’t Just for Cavities

Composite resin is super versatile for cosmetic work. A dentist can use it for more than just cavities. Fillings may also be used for:

• Chipped teeth.
• Teeth with cracks.
• Closing up small gaps between your teeth.
• Reshaping a tooth that looks different from the others.
• Covering discoloration or stains that don’t resolve with teeth whitening.

6. Reduced Tooth Sensitivity

With metal fillings, a hot drink can send a jolt through your tooth. Because metal is a conductor, temperature changes transfer straight to the nerve inside your tooth. A composite tooth filling doesn’t conduct heat and cold the same way.

7. Composite Teeth Fillings in Ames, Iowa: How to Know if You Need a Filling

The short answer is that only a dentist can tell you for sure if you need a composite tooth filling. However, there are some signs that will let you know if you need to schedule an appointment with Drs. Rob Swanson, Jessica Swanson, or Taylor Steffans. These include:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity to hot or cold foods.
• Pain when you eat something sweet.
• Pain when biting down.
• You see a hole or pit in your tooth.
• A tooth becoming grey or darker in color.

If you have any of these symptoms, get in touch with Swanson Family Dental right away. Fixing a small cavity is much better than needing more extensive dental work down the road. Call (515) 233-2174 today to schedule your appointment at 1212 Duff Ave in Ames, IA 50010. You may also call our Perry, IA, office at (515) 465-5170.

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