At Smiles 4 Grant Park, Dr. Abbey Lee knows the importance of a beautiful, aesthetic smile. Our practice chooses restorative materials and procedures that are effective andmaintain the beautiful, natural look of your smile. For patients who require fillings due to dental decay, we opt for white fillings made from tooth-colored composite resin. To learn more about composite fillings, and what to expect during the procedure, read on!

If you are looking for a comfortable, friendly dental care home in Grant Park, consider Dr. Abbey Lee and our team at Smiles 4 Grant Park. We love being a part of the Grant Park community, and enjoy getting to know our patients on a personal level so we can help them better reach their dental health and aesthetic goals. If you are new to the area, or are just looking for a new provider, contact us today to schedule your first appointment!

Why We Choose Composite Fillings

Dr. Lee works with composite resin material to fill cavities in our Grant Park office. Composite resin fillings are created from a blend of synthetic materials that can easily be molded to the exact shape and size of the filling. In addition, this pliable material can be custom-tinted within our practice to blend seamlessly with your natural tooth color. The final result is more or less invisible when speaking or smiling.

Composite resin fillings are many the material of choice for many dentists today, but amalgam fillings are still being used here in the United States. Amalgam fillings, or “silver” fillings, are created from a blend of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and/or copper. Though the American Dental Association has deemed amalgam a safe material, we choose not to use it because of its mercury content. Avoiding the use of mercury-containing materials gives our patients extra peace of mind. In addition, amalgam fillings disrupt the natural appearance of a smile and are highly visible since their metallic appearance cannot be covered or camouflaged.

While amalgam fillings do last longer than composite fillings, we believe the benefits of composite resin outweigh their shorter lifespan. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your composite filling can last anywhere from five to 10 years, on average, before needing to be replaced.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Our cavity-filling procedure takes less than an hour, so you can be in and out and back to your day as quickly as possible. Dr. Lee uses DIAGNOdent technology to detect the earliest signs of tooth decay. This tool uses laser fluorescence to detect tooth decay sooner than it may be visible to the eye. This means any dental decay can be caught sooner and treated less invasively, for an improved dental care experience.

Before the procedure begins, Dr. Lee will gather tooth shade information to tint the composite so it matches your natural teeth’s color. Then, she will completely numb the affected tooth and the area around it with local anesthetic. Our practice also offers sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, to help patients who may be more anxious or fearful of the procedure. These sedatives help calm the mind and body, and help time in the dental chair to pass more quickly.

Once the area is completely numb, Dr. Lee will remove any dental decay and clean and shape the space left behind. Then, the composite material is carefully shaped and applied to fit the space. A special dental “curing” light is used to harden the composite material and create a strong bond with the natural tooth enamel.

Finally, Dr. Lee will shape or smooth the composite before polishing it to match the natural glossiness of your teeth.

White Fillings in Grant Park

If it’s been more than six months since your last dental examination, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Abbey Lee and our Grant Park team! We would love to meet you and help you achieve the healthy, radiant smile of your dreams. Call us today at 404.328.7177.