cosmetic family dentistry the woodlands texas Dr. Bill Lockhart DDS

Composite Fillings

Plaque, a sticky film of food and bacteria that is constantly forming
on your teeth, is the culprit when it comes to tooth decay. Bacteria
that naturally exist in plaque break down the starches and sugars in
the food you eat. The resulting chemical reaction produces acid that
corrodes and deteriorates teeth over time leading to cavities and
tooth decay. Regular visits to the dentists and proper dental care are
crucial in fighting cavities. Sometimes, fillings are necessary to fight
cavities and keep decay from spreading.

More and more patients today ask for white fillings because they
want their teeth to look natural when they laugh, talk and smile.
White fillings, also called composite fillings, are made from
tooth-colored materials that restore the natural appearance of a
decayed or previously filled tooth.

An advantage of composite fillings, as compared with other dental
restorations, is that they require less of the healthy part of a tooth to
be removed to hold the filling in place. This is due to composite
materials' ability to bond to teeth adhesively. Once the filling is in
place, it is chemically hardened, or cured, for less than a minute with
a special light.