New Patients: Mobile Number (760) 284-8111
Existing Patients: Mobile Number (760) 727-3131
13
Mar
Composite Dental Fillings, a tooth-colored alternative to metal amalgam
Did you know that American adults have an average of three dental fillings, and one in four has 11 or more? Fillings are an effective way to halt tooth decay and restore the shape and function of a tooth after decay. But many patients are not thrilled about the appearance of silver amalgam fillings in their smile and may have concerns about the mercury content in metal amalgam. At Shadowridge Dental Group in San Marcos, California, we offer a tooth-colored, mercury-free alternative: composite dental fillings.
The process for getting a composite filling
No matter what material is used, getting a filling placed consists of two major steps: first, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and then the filling is placed to restore the lost tooth structure. With metal amalgam fillings, a larger area of the tooth needs to be drilled out to place the filling, but with composite fillings, we can remove less of your natural tooth structure to place it.
Composite fillings are placed in layers gradually built up to fill the hole left by the cavity. After “painting” the composite resin onto the tooth, we use a specialized ultraviolet light to help harden the filling before placing the next layer. This process is repeated until the filling is complete, and then we will make minor adjustments to the shape as needed so that it feels like your normal tooth and doesn’t affect your bite.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (760) 284-8111 | Existing Patients: (760) 727-3131 REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
Benefits of composite fillings
Composite fillings offer many benefits to our patients. They are:
- Natural-looking, blending in easily with the rest of your teeth
- Conservative, requiring a minimal amount of tooth structure to be removed
- Durable, lasting up to 10 to 15 years with good care
- Effective, sealing off your tooth from further bacterial infiltration and decay
Your partners in oral health
At Shadowridge Dental Group, we are committed to helping our patients achieve their healthiest, most beautiful smiles. We are equipped with the latest technologies and tools that enable us to not only restore your smile to health but make it look great in the process. To schedule your appointment at our San Marcos, CA office, call (760) 284-8111 today!
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Meet The Doctors
James Moran, DDS is a graduate of the USC School of Dentistry and has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry in North San Diego County since 1984. He has a special interest in aesthetic dentistry and orthodontics and is a sustaining member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a part-time instructor with Mid-Continent Orthodontics. He is also past President of the Southwest Affiliate of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dr. Daniel Huffmire is thrilled to be part of the team at Shadowridge Dental Group in Southern California! Dr. Huffmire started his dental career in Idaho, but is happy to be back home in California, serving the people of San Marcos. He is an experienced clinician with excellent bedside manner. Initially a chemist with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Brigham Young University, Dr. Huffmire earned his Master’s in Medical Sciences and Doctor of Dental Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
During his General Practice Residency at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Huffmire gained experience working with medically compromised patients at the Regional Medical Center and VA clinic. He has advanced training in oral surgery, emergency medicine, sedation, and biomimetic dentistry.
During his General Practice Residency at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Huffmire gained experience working with medically compromised patients at the Regional Medical Center and VA clinic. He has advanced training in oral surgery, emergency medicine, sedation, and biomimetic dentistry.