The pursuit of finding a dental treatment that can restore your smile from concerns like tooth decay has never been more accessible in the Lincoln area. With a restorative and cosmetically enhancing procedure, like composite fillings, you can experience both a scientific marvel and an art where precision meets aesthetics. Welcome to Bella Vista Smiles in Lincoln, CA, where we pride ourselves in offering procedures like composite fillings that allow patients to enhance and restore their smiles!

At Bella Vista Smiles, we do more than just take care of teeth. We’re all about making your smile shine bright, keeping it healthy, and ensuring you feel good about it. Dr. Rubina Khorana and our team don’t just see ourselves as dental experts; we’re here to make you feel relaxed, inspire positive changes, and boost your self-assurance.

What Are Composite Fillings?

Composite fillings, or tooth-colored fillings, are a revolution in restorative dentistry. Unlike traditional amalgam fillings that contain a mixture of metals, composite fillings are crafted from a blend of glass or quartz in a resin medium. This aesthetic approach to tooth restoration isn’t just about blending in; it’s about restoring the tooth to its natural strength and shape, preventing further damage. Composite fillings match the color of your teeth, providing a natural look, especially in the front areas visible when you smile.

Who Should Receive Fillings?

Decay doesn’t pick its victims; anyone can fall prey to it, from the young to the old. Composite fillings are often recommended for:

Minor to medium-sized decay in teeth
Chipped teeth
Closing space between two teeth
Front or back teeth
Any area that bears light to moderate chewing pressure

The Composite Filling Procedure

The filling process may seem intimidating, but it is straightforward, and we can complete it in under thirty minutes.

Tooth Preparation: Your comfort is paramount. After numbing the surrounding area to ensure you feel no pain, Dr. Khorana will remove the decayed portion of the tooth. This leaves a space in your tooth where we will place your filling. We will etch onto this space with a gentle acid, creating a rough surface for the filling to bond effectively.
The Filling: Dr. Khorana will apply a bonding resin to the etched surface, setting the stage for the composite filling. We will place the composite material in layers, hardening each layer with a special curing light. Once all layers are in place, we will shape the composite filling to the natural contour of your tooth.
Polish and Final Touches: Final polishing ensures a smooth finish and a seamless shine, mimicking the tooth’s natural surface.

Aftercare

Post-procedure care is as essential as the procedure itself. Avoiding staining foods, practicing good oral hygiene, and attending regular dental check-ups will extend the life of your composite filling.

Benefits of Composite Fillings

Composite fillings offer a plethora of advantages that go beyond their aesthetic appeal.

Aesthetics and Discretion: Composite fillings are virtually undetectable, ensuring your smile remains as radiant as before the procedure.
Durability and Support: Despite being tooth-colored and subtle, composite fillings are sturdy. They not only restore the tooth’s form and function but also offer an exceptional level of support.
Minimal Tooth Preparation: One of the significant pros of composite fillings is that they require less tooth structure to be removed compared to amalgams, making them a more conservative option.
Reducing the Risk of Cracks: Composite fillings can better bond to the tooth, preventing cracks from spreading.
Temperature and Shock Absorption: Composite fillings provide more natural temperature and shock absorption, akin to your real tooth enamel, enhancing comfort and reducing sensitivity.