Cosmetic Fillings
Fillings that blend right in
Composite-resin fillings are tooth colored and shaped to the anatomy of your teeth. Cosmetic fillings are cured with a light allowing you to drink and eat on them right away.
What is a composite filling?
A filling removes decay and fills the hole it left with new material, and most teeth today are treated with bonded, tooth-colored composite resin, closely matched to the color of your existing teeth, so it suits front teeth and other visible areas. Composite fillings are very durable and last many years, though like most dental restorations they may someday need replacing. Caught early, cavities are treated easily and painlessly; left untreated, decay can lead to pain, infection and an extraction.
- Chipped teeth
- Closing space between two teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Worn teeth
How composite fillings are placed
Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist removes the decay, then cleans and prepares the space, adding a protective medication if the decay was near the nerve. The filling is then placed, shaped and polished, restoring the tooth’s original shape and function.
Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal at first and fades as the tooth adjusts. You’ll get care instructions afterward; good oral hygiene, eating habits and regular dental visits help your fillings last.
Inlays and onlays
An inlay or onlay is a custom filling of composite, gold or tooth-colored porcelain, made by a dental laboratory and permanently cemented by your dentist; an onlay also covers one or more chewing cusps, so it’s sometimes called a partial crown. Both repair teeth with large defective fillings or damage from decay or trauma, removing less tooth structure than crowns. Reasons for inlays and onlays:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
What getting an inlay or onlay involves
This usually takes two appointments. At the first, while the tooth is numb, the dentist removes any decay or old filling, shapes the tooth and takes impressions (molds), and a temporary filling protects it while the lab makes your restoration. At the second, your inlay or onlay is cemented into place and adjusted for a proper fit and comfortable bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat right after a tooth-colored filling?
Yes. Composite fillings are cured with a light, allowing you to drink and eat on them right away.
What's the difference between "silver" and "white" fillings?
Silver fillings are usually more durable and cost less. Tooth-colored fillings look better and can be closely matched to your natural teeth. Fillings cannot be used in every situation: if a tooth is very badly broken down, a crown will usually be necessary.
Is sensitivity after a filling normal?
Yes. It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed. It will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
New patients welcome
Emergency calls and appointments are available and welcome, especially for new patients seeking help.