Cavity. It’s one of the most feared words in all of dentistry, capable of making even the most diligent brusher question the effectiveness of his or her oral hygiene regimen. When you visit Dr. Vi Mai for dental fillings in Garland, TX, you can feel confident knowing that this common procedure is simpler and more effective than you may have previously believed.
An Attractive Alternative to Metal Fillings
A decade or so ago, a patient who had a cavity had very limited options for filling materials, and most dentists used metal or silver amalgam to fill minor cavities. Although metal is extremely durable and lasts for many years, it’s not the most subtle means of filling teeth. As a result, patients often felt self-conscious when eating or speaking with others, believing they would be judged for their conspicuous fillings. Today, this is no longer the case. At Mai Dentistry, we prefer to use composite resin, which offers several advantages over gold, silver, and amalgam:
- Dr. Mai will customize the shade of your composite filling so that it closely matches the natural shade of the surrounding teeth. When you speak or open your mouth, the filling will appear very similar to the rest of your teeth.
- The resin is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for patients who have metal allergies or concerns about mercury.
- Placing a composite filling requires Dr. Mai to remove less of your natural tooth structure. Metal fillings, on the other hand, often require larger parts of healthy teeth to accommodate the material.
Composite Resin Is Surprisingly Versatile
Although we often use composite resin to create dental fillings, it has many purposes in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. For example, did you know that we use composite resin for dental bonding? The tooth-colored resin, which can be easily sculpted and shaped, is a natural match for bonding, which fills gaps between teeth, masks cracks and chips, and improves the appearance of slightly uneven or crooked teeth. Dr. Mai begins by preparing the surface of the tooth, then painting on liquid resin. After carefully shaping it to suit your tooth, she allows the composite to cure and harden. The results? An attractive, long-lasting smile that requires very little prep time and suits all budgets.
Ready to experience composite fillings? To learn more about preventive and restorative dentistry at your Garland, TX dentist office, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vi Mai and her team, contact us at (972) 530-0552. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, we provide compassionate, timely treatment for families living in Murphy, Allen, Wylie, Richardson, and throughout the Dallas area. You can also follow us on Facebook, where we share the latest news from our office.