Repair Tooth Decay and Damage with Simple, Tooth-colored Fillings

A small cavity or damage can quickly become a painful, costly dental issue. Dental fillings in Burlington, Vermont, are a simple, affordable solution that repairs the damage and prevents it from progressing.

Champlain Smile Solutions offers durable and natural-looking composite fillings to restore your tooth without sacrificing aesthetics. Don’t wait for tooth damage to worsen. Schedule an appointment today with Drs. Matthew or Kay Giulianelli to protect your tooth.

What does a dental filling procedure involve?

A dental filling is a standard procedure many patients undergo to treat cavities, cracks, or chips. It not only repairs the damage but also restores aesthetics, comfort, and functionality.

So, how are fillings placed? The procedure is quick and painless. First, the dentist will numb your gums with local anesthesia. They will carefully eliminate any decayed or damaged areas of your teeth, ensuring a healthy structure remains. Next, the dentist thoroughly cleans and sanitizes the treatment area to remove all traces of harmful bacteria.

Next, we’ll carefully fill the tooth with composite resin and skillfully sculpt it to the desired shape. In its raw form, composite is easily moldable. However, once we harden it with a curing light, it forms a strong bond that’s resistant to everyday chewing and biting. Finally, the filling is polished to shine, creating a glossy, natural-looking finish.

Why composite fillings?

Fillings can be created from several materials, including amalgams. However, many patients prefer tooth-colored fillings.

Here are the reasons:

  • Natural aesthetics: Composite is available in many shades. We choose the shade that closely matches your natural teeth. The results are so realistic that many patients can’t tell which tooth was filled.
  • Conservative: Unlike metal fillings, composites require less drilling, helping to keep more of your natural tooth intact.
  • Safety: Composites are created from a blend of resin and glass, with no known safety concerns. Besides, composite fillings are metal-free, making them a more biocompatible option.
  • Durability and strength: Composite fillings last 5-8 years or more with good maintenance. Composites also bond directly to the tooth, adding strength and reducing the risk of fractures over time.
  • Less sensitivity: Composite fillings don’t expand or contract as much as metal fillings, reducing the risk of temperature-related tooth sensitivity.
  • Versatility: Composite resin is popular for cavity repairs. However, it can also be used for minor cosmetic repairs, such as fixing stained, chipped, or worn-down teeth.

How do I maintain my dental filling?

Fillings must be cared for like natural teeth to keep them strong and durable. Brush and floss your teeth diligently to discourage plaque buildup. Quit smoking and limit the intake of staining foods to keep your fillings beautiful.

Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) can wear out your fillings over time. Wear a customized mouthguard to protect your teeth from bruxism-induced damage. Lastly, visit your dentist every six months for routine check-ups and cleanings.

What are Glass Ionomer Restorations?

Even though today’s modern tooth-colored composite fillings can look and feel just like a real tooth, for some patients that have struggled with getting frequent cavities a tried and true material called Glass Ionomer might be the right treatment.  Often paired with using Silver Diamine Fluoride, this material can often be placed on the tooth to help kill the bacteria causing cavities.  It is one of the only materials to actually form a direct bond to fuse to the tooth, helping seal the area around the filling.  Sometimes these can be placed in teeth without having to use local anesthetic for numbing.

Do you need a tooth filling in Burlington, Vermont?

Minor issues like cavities are easy to treat early. However, if left unchecked, they can turn into significant headaches. Don’t wait for tooth damage to worsen—take action now! Call (802) 899-9486 to schedule your appointment with Champlain Smile Solutions for high-quality dental fillings and lasting protection.