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Composite Resins
Strengthen Your Smile
If you’re self-conscious about your smile due to decayed, disfigured, or discolored teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins. A composite resin is simply a silicon dioxide-filled tooth-colored plastic mixture that can restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state. Composite resins represent several advantages to the patient compared with traditional silver fillings. First, Drs. McLaurin is an experienced, meticulous artisan, able to blend composite shades and shapes so as to match the original teeth nearly perfectly. Second, the tooth-composite bond actually serves to support to the remaining tooth structure, preventing breakage and providing insulation against temperature changes. Finally, average- and small-sized composites have demonstrated similar duration to silver fillings--seven to ten years.
And what's more, resin placement is simple. Drs. McLaurin simply prepares the teeth to be filled by removing decayed areas and cleaning all surfaces; layers the composite onto the teeth, hardening each layer with a special light; shapes it to fit your natural dentition characteristics; then polishes it to prevent staining and early wear. Depending on the size of the filling and location of the composite, this process may require 10 to 20 minutes longer than what's needed for a traditional silver filling. Although some patients notice a bit of post-placement sensitivity, this is temporary. The only caution we usually mention is that coffee, tea, and other staining types of foods and beverages may discolor your composites unless you ask to have them coated with a clear plastic sealant.
