When tooth decay compromises the strength and structure of a tooth, a composite filling can rebuild its natural shape while restoring function and appearance. Composite fillings are made from advanced, tooth-colored resin materials that blend seamlessly with your smile, offering a strong and aesthetically pleasing solution for cavities.
At the office of The Smile Company, we use modern composite materials designed to bond directly to your natural tooth structure. This bonding process not only restores the tooth but also helps reinforce it, providing durable, long-lasting protection with a natural look and feel.
Composite fillings are often referred to as “white” or “tooth-colored” fillings because they are carefully shade-matched to your surrounding teeth. Unlike traditional metal restorations, composites are mercury-free and metal-free, making them a popular choice for patients seeking a more natural restoration.
Because composite material bonds directly to enamel and dentin, less healthy tooth structure typically needs to be removed during preparation. This conservative approach helps preserve more of your natural tooth while providing a secure seal against bacteria and future decay.
If a cavity is detected, we will gently and precisely remove the decayed portion of the tooth. In most cases, treatment is completed in a single visit and performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Once the area is prepared, the composite resin is applied in layers. Each layer is carefully shaped and hardened using a special curing light. This step-by-step process allows us to sculpt the material so it closely matches the tooth’s natural contours and bite. After placement, the filling is polished and adjusted to ensure a smooth finish and comfortable fit.
At The Smile Company, patient comfort is always a priority. We take time to explain each step of the process and are happy to discuss options such as sedation dentistry for patients who may feel anxious about treatment.
After your appointment, it’s normal to experience temporary numbness from local anesthesia. Be careful not to bite your lips, cheeks, or tongue until sensation fully returns.
Some mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods may occur for a few days as your tooth adjusts. This is typically temporary and should resolve on its own. If sensitivity persists or you experience discomfort when biting, please contact our office so we can evaluate and make any necessary adjustments.
With good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, composite fillings can provide many years of reliable service. Brushing, flossing, and maintaining regular checkups at The Smile Company will help protect both your restoration and your overall oral health.
Our goal is to restore your tooth in a way that looks natural, feels comfortable, and supports long-term oral health. If you have any questions about composite fillings or cavity treatment, we’re here to help.
If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.
We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.
Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don't accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it's essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.
Dental insurances typically cover the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of The Smile Company, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
Have questions or ready to book your visit? We’re here to help! Whether you’re looking to schedule a consultation, learn more about our services, or speak with a member of our team, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today by phone, email, or through our online form — and let’s start your journey to a healthier, more confident smile.
