Dental Fillings

Tooth decay and cavities are the most common dental issues patients face, and most can be easily fixed with dental fillings. Dr. Mohandes has performed thousands of filling procedures using composite fillings to restore her patients’ teeth and protect them against future damage.

Reasons You Might Need a Filling

If you maintain a regular schedule of dental checkups at FM Dentistry & Orthodontics, we may discover you need a filling before you experience any symptoms. Treating a cavity or tooth decay in its earliest stages is best, but treatment at any stage is preferable to losing a tooth. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may need dental fillings:

• Sharp or throbbing pain when biting or chewing.
• Dark spots on your teeth.
• A hole in a tooth that you can see or feel.
• A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Extreme sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets.

If any of these symptoms persist for two weeks or more, it is crucial to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohandes for an evaluation. If dental fillings are needed, she will discuss your options with you.

Enjoy a More Natural Smile with Composite Dental Fillings

At FM Dentistry & Orthodontics, we rely on composite fillings, an affordable, natural-looking, and safe solution. Our fillings, designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, are some of the most aesthetic restorations available today and are strong and long-lasting.

Composite fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam (the traditional metal fillings of childhood). Composite fillings are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or white fillings because of their color. Composite fillings are made of an acrylic resin reinforced with powdered glass. Composite resin is often placed in layers to build up the final restoration, then cured with ultra-violet light. This light energy speeds up a chemical reaction of the components, hardening the soft material and bonding the material to the tooth. Composite fillings are considered safe by the American Dental Association.

The color (shade) of composite fillings can be customized to match surrounding teeth closely. This plastic and glass mixture contains no metal and can be shaped to resemble a real tooth. It is usually hard to tell if a tooth has even been filled.

Benefits of Composite Resin Restorations

• Preferred white/natural-looking color
• Better for smaller fillings
• Preservation of more tooth structure
• Helps prevent tooth decay
• Wears like natural teeth

Dental Fillings FAQs

How long do composite fillings last?

Composite dental fillings can last ten years or more with good oral hygiene.

Can I have my old fillings replaced with white fillings?

Yes. If you have older amalgam fillings and want them replaced, we can remove them and replace them with composite fillings. Replacing amalgam fillings requires special care and the appropriate tools, but the results are more attractive and safer than metal fillings.

Does dental insurance cover white fillings?

Dental insurance typically covers the cost of an amalgam filling in full but may not cover the difference in price between an amalgam filling and composite fillings. However, this is changing. Please check with your dental insurance provider to confirm your coverage limits.

How is a composite filling placed?

The composite resin used for dental fillings is placed in thin layers. A UV light is used between each layer to harden the resin, building up the coverage. After the last layer is applied and cured, Dr. Mohandes carefully shapes and polishes the filling so that it matches the surrounding teeth.

How long does it take to get a composite dental filling?

Getting a composite filling can take up to an hour due to the multiple layers of resin that must be applied and cured.

Why should I get a colored filling?

Patients’ main reason for choosing tooth-colored fillings is that they look better. Unlike visible amalgam fillings, the composite material can be precisely matched to the tooth’s color for a natural look.

Today’s composite fillings are extremely durable and restore full bite force. Preparing your teeth for tooth-colored fillings is a less invasive process than the preparation for amalgam fillings. We don’t have to remove as much of the damaged tooth, so more of your natural tooth is preserved.

Are composite fillings safe?

Yes. They are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

How long after getting dental fillings can I eat?

You should wait at least 3-4 hours after getting your filling before eating and then stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours. There are no restrictions after that.

Will I have tooth sensitivity after a dental filling?

Your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold for the first few days, but this subsides quickly, and there is no pain after the teeth are filled.