Composite fillings are made up of resin that match the tooth color and are designed to adhere to the tooth. They have strength and wear-resistance properties.
- Avoid excessively hard foods on the filled teeth. The resin material and/or remaining tooth structure can fracture under extreme stress.
- The composite filling sets immediately, so there is no need to wait to eat. Please be careful while still numb, though.
- There may be some sensitivity to hot/cold for a few weeks after the filling is placed. The deeper the cavity is, the more sensitivity there will be.
- If the bite feels high, like you are biting on that tooth before the others, please call to schedule a simple adjustment.
- The gum tissue may be irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days. Rinsing with warm salt water will soothe the tissues.
- The finished restoration may be contoured slightly different and have a different texture from the original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.
When a tooth has a cavity, the decay is removed and the space is sealed with a filling material. The ideal filling is no more than 50% of the tooth, since the tooth supports the filling. This leaves half the tooth to support the filling. When a cavity is more than half the tooth, an onlay (gold or porcelain filling custom made in the laboratory) or a crown is necessary. A crown covers the entire tooth and holds the tooth together.
