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Benefits of Restoring Your Smile with Composite Fillings
Even if you practice near-perfect dental care, tricky spots in your mouth and genetics can put you at risk of cavities. Cavities develop when harmful bacteria secrete acidic substances that “eat away” your enamel. Since your tooth can’t heal itself, a dental filling is the best way to prevent a cavity from progressing.
Maegan Elam, DDS and Associates in Bedford, Texas, uses composite resin fillings to treat cavities. We prefer white fillings because they’re esthetically appealing and bond seamlessly with your tooth to provide optimal protection while conserving much of your tooth’s structure.
Why composite fillings are the best
Years back, amalgam dental fillings were the go-to treatment for cavities. While these fillings are strong and durable, they have aesthetics and safety concerns.
Today, many dentists have ditched silver-colored fillings for safer and more beautiful composite fillings. The benefits of treating cavities with composite fillings include:
- Natural-looking appearance: Composite resin can be shaded to resemble your surrounding teeth for a seamless appearance. Unlike metal fillings that “stick out” of your mouth because of their dark appearance, composite fillings are virtually undetectable
- Safety: Composite resin is metal-free, which is excellent news for patients with metal allergies. Moreover, tooth-colored fillings don’t have safety concerns, unlike amalgam fillings that contain mercury that can leak into your body
- Conservative: Composite fillings require less drilling, which preserves much of your tooth’s structure
- Optimal protection. White fillings bond tightly with your tooth, sealing margins that can allow harmful bacteria into your tooth
- Quick treatment: Filling your tooth with composite resin takes 30-60 minutes, and anesthesia isn’t always necessary. After removing all traces of decay, we clean your tooth and apply the composite resin in layers, which only takes a few minutes to harden. The final step is to reshape and polish your tooth for a natural-looking finish
Tooth decay is progressive – investing time to fix a minor problem can help you avoid significant ones down the line. If left untreated, a cavity grows larger, requiring extensive restorative treatments, or worse – having your tooth extracted!
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients : (817) 241-3535 | Existing Patients : (817) 283-2871 Request an Appointment
Dental cavity treatment near me
We know a trip to the dentist can be anxiety-provoking for some people. Dr. Maegan Elam works hard to ensure all our patients are comfortable. So, whether it’s a cavity filling or other treatment, we deliver exceptional care.
Please call (817) 241-3535 to book your appointment today! Get a healthier, cavity-free smile with composite fillings at Maegan Elam, DDS, and Associates.
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Dr. Maegan Elam is a highly sought-after dentist in Bedford with a talent for easing dental anxiety. Graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Hardin-Simmons University, she worked as a dental assistant for a year before obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She is a part of the American Dental Association, the State of Texas Dental Association, and the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Dr. Elam has completed advanced training in offering oral-conscious and nitrous oxide sedation to help patients have peaceful dental experiences. She has a conservative approach to providing excellent dental care and believes in preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible.