03
Oct
Restore Your Smile’s Health and Brilliance with Beautiful Composite Fillings
Maintaining a healthy smile requires optimal oral hygiene practices. Neglecting oral health can lead to various issues, such as cavities. If left untreated, cavities can progress to decay, compromising the tooth’s structure and potentially leading to loss.
Anyone with tooth cavities can breathe easy because they are easily treatable with dental fillings. Kennebec Dental Excellence offers composite filings in Winslow, Maine, to repair cavities and minor tooth decay. Unlike age-old amalgams, composites are colored like natural teeth to deliver undetectable results!
How are dental fillings placed?
Before treatment, we use digital X-rays to confirm the presence of a cavity. Significantly damaged teeth may need a dental crown or root canal to restore them to their prime state.
If a tooth filling is the best treatment, we’ll numb your gums with local anesthetics to eliminate discomfort during treatment. Next, the dentist gently removes the decayed portion of the tooth before sanitizing the area until all the infection is gone.
The dentist will patch up the resulting cavity with layered composite resin. Once the filling is reshaped, we’ll harden it with a special curing light. We will shape and polish your filled tooth until it feels comfortable and looks natural.
You can resume your normal activities after getting a filling. However, to prevent accidentally biting your cheeks or tongue, avoid chewing or consuming hot drinks until the anesthesia wears off, typically within two hours.
What are the benefits of composite fillings?
Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals, including mercury. In contrast, composite fillings are created from acrylic plastic and finely grounded glass—materials with unrivaled aesthetics and an incredible safety record.
Composite fillings are superior to traditional dental fillings.
- Aesthetics: Composite fillings can be color-matched to the surrounding teeth, preserving your natural aesthetics. Once we place a composite filling, it becomes virtually unnoticeable.
- Conservativeness: Composite fillings are placed after removing a small portion of the tooth. Preserving much of your tooth structure maintains your tooth’s functionality and longevity.
- Safety: Amalgams contain 50% mercury—one of the most toxic substances known to man. Composites are created from non-toxic, biocompatible materials for optimal safety.
- Thermal resistance: White fillings have insulating properties, making them resistant to hot and cold foods. Unlike metal fillings, composites don’t change in size despite thermal changes. This maintains your tooth’s structural integrity.
How should I maintain my filling?
Composite fillings require no special maintenance. Brush and floss them as you do for your natural teeth. Also, adhere to bi-annual dental exams and cleanings to keep your fillings in great shape. Lastly, refrain from smoking to avoid staining your fillings.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (207) 810-5088 | Existing Patients: (207) 872-7833
SCHEDULE ONLINE
Do you need a cavity filling?
Although cavities are common, they can be easily treated with composite fillings. Don’t let cavities ruin your smile! Instead, call (207) 810-5088 to schedule an appointment with Drs. Jeff Bue and Julie Chang. Your healthy, cavity-free smile awaits.
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Dr. Jeff Bue
Dr. Jeff Bue is a qualified dentist who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2017. Committed to maintaining high clinical standards, he is trained to provide a broad range of services, including crowns, dental implants, dentures, periodontal treatments, grafting, root canals, emergency extractions, and bridges. Dr. Bue has ongoing advanced training in implant placement and sedation dentistry and is skilled in administering mild sedation to enhance patient comfort. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to his patients while emphasizing a comfortable, relaxing patient experience.
Dr. Julie Chang
Dr. Julie Chang completed her dental degree at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, followed by an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Togus VA Hospital. During her residency, Dr. Chang cared for veterans, which gave her extensive experience with dentures, implants, root canals, surgeries, and advanced restorative treatments. She is committed to providing personalized, quality care while prioritizing a stress-free, positive patient experience. A lifelong learner, Dr. Chang continues to enhance her expertise with advanced training in root canals, molar extractions, and implants.