Composite Fillings
Salem & Keizer, OR

Reasons for Fillings

Man smiling about his fillings bu Salem dentist at Oak Park Dental

Cavities are a very common dental issue. Even though they are commonly associated with children, they can affect people of all ages, from young children to seniors. Cavities in the front teeth not only affect the health of your teeth, but they can also impact their appearance. Oak Park Dental can help with composite fillings.

What Exactly is a Cavity?

A cavity is a pit that forms in your tooth. This pit is a result of tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when acids from plaque, bacteria, and certain foods linger on the surfaces of your teeth. The acids begin to erode your protective tooth enamel, causing this layer of your teeth to weaken. The weak spots eventually develop into cavities. Treating cavities right away is essential. Without treatment, cavities can grow larger and deeper, which can weaken the affected tooth and lead to an infection.

What is a Composite Filling?

A composite filling is a treatment for restoring the health of a tooth affected by a cavity. The filling uses composite resin, a tooth-colored material made up of fine glass, plastic, and other substances. It is a metal-free, mercury-free alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. It is not as strong as amalgam, but can typically stand up to pressures at the front of the mouth. This, in addition to being tooth colored, makes composite fillings ideal for treating cavities at the front of your mouth.

Getting Your Composite Filling

The process for a composite filling is fairly simple. It takes only one appointment, and about 30 minutes, to complete. We begin by cleaning the tooth. We then drill the decay away from the cavity. Depending upon the location and the size of the cavity, you may not need a local anesthetic. After cleaning out the decay, an acid etch is applied inside the cavity to create a rough texture. After the acid is washed off the tooth is dried, and the composite material is placed inside the cavity. A light is used to cure, or dry, the material, and we finish by polishing the filling smooth.

Composite for Bonding

The same material used for composite fillings can also be used for a minor cosmetic treatment called bonding. This process uses composite resin to restore the appearance of teeth affected by minor flaws. The material can be shaped and molded to meet a variety of needs, including filling chips and cracks, eliminating gaps, and transforming the size and shape of the tooth.

Benefits of Composite Fillings

There are many benefits associated with composite bonding.

•	Getting your filling is quick and simple, requiring a single appointment and only about 30 minutes of your time.
•	Composite resin bonds with your tooth. This means that less of your natural tooth structure needs to be drilled away.
•	The material is tooth colored, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your natural teeth. No one will be able to tell that it is there.
•	While not as strong as amalgam, the composite resin can withstand most normal daily wear and tear at the front of the mouth.
•	Composite resin does not contain any metal or any mercury.

If you have a cavity in a front tooth, a composite filling can help to not only restore the health of the affected tooth; it can also help to restore its appearance, and improve the quality of your smile. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Oak Park Dental at (971) 600-0211 today.

Serving Salem Keizer Community since 1987

We provide dental services for the entire family from children to older adults. Our entire team of caring Doctors, hygienists and support staff pride ourselves on a high level of patient care.

Using the latest in modern dental technology our services range from sealants to complex implant surgery. Our goal is a comfortable experience for our patients with beautiful results.

Smile more :-) Call today

(971) 600-0211

Located in the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley.

Convenient hours
Monday–Friday
7am–5pm
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3380 Astoria Way NE
Salem, OR 97305-2054

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(971) 600-0211

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Composite Fillings | Salem & Keizer Dentist | Oak Park Dental
Fillings are used to restore areas of your tooth affected by decay. If your tooth is sensitive for a week or more it is important to call our office, so we can examine the tooth and determine if additional treatment is needed.
Oak Park Dental, 3380 Astoria Way NE, Salem, OR 97305 : (971) 600-0211 : salemsmiles.com : 5/16/2023 : Page Phrases: dentist Salem OR :