Tooth-Colored Fillings at Chemung Family Dental
A filling repairs a tooth that decay has damaged. Tooth-colored composite bonds directly to what is left of the tooth and is shaded to match, so the repair does not announce itself every time you laugh. Most fillings are done in a single visit.
- Shaded to your tooth, so the repair is not visible when you smile
- Bonds to the tooth, which means less healthy structure is removed
- Usually finished in one visit
- Written estimate and insurance check before we begin
- Financing available through Cherry and CareCredit
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Repair the tooth without advertising it
A cavity is decay that has broken through the enamel. Once that happens it does not heal on its own, and the fix is to remove the decayed material and fill the space so the tooth can function normally again.
Composite is a tooth-colored resin. We clean out the decay, prepare the surface, place the composite in layers, and cure each layer with a light. Then we shape it to your bite and polish it. The whole appointment usually takes under an hour for a single filling.
Because composite bonds to the tooth, we can often remove less healthy structure than a traditional amalgam filling required. Keeping more of the original tooth is the point. Every millimeter we leave behind is structure that does not need replacing later.
Check your insuranceWhy composite instead of metal?
It disappears
The material is shaded to your tooth. On front teeth and visible premolars, that is usually the deciding factor for patients.
Less drilling
Amalgam had to be mechanically locked into the tooth, which meant cutting shapes to hold it. Composite bonds chemically, so the preparation can be more conservative.
No metal expansion
Metal fillings expand and contract with hot and cold over years, which can stress the tooth. Composite is more stable in that respect.
Repairable
A composite filling that chips at the edge can often be repaired or added to rather than replaced entirely.
Done in one appointment
Unlike a crown that requires lab work, a filling is placed, shaped, and polished while you are in the chair.
The Chemung filling appointment
Diagnosis
Found at a routine exam, on an X-ray, or because you noticed sensitivity. Dr. Dunn confirms the extent and shows you what he is seeing before anything starts.
Numbing
Local anesthetic for anything beyond the most superficial repair. We wait until you are genuinely numb before beginning, not until the clock says we should be.
Removing the decay
The decayed material comes out and the remaining tooth is cleaned and prepared. This is the part that takes the judgment: enough to remove all the decay, not a millimeter more.
Placing and curing
Composite goes in as layers, each cured with a light. Building it up in layers is what gives the filling its strength and lets us shape the anatomy properly.
Shaping and bite check
We contour it, check your bite with marking paper, and adjust until it feels like nothing. A filling that is even slightly high will be sore, so this step is worth the extra minutes.
Dental insurance coverage
We want getting care to be easy. Call us with your plan details and our team will check your benefits and explain what is covered before treatment starts.
Ask us about your coverageWhy not just wait and see?
Decay does not stall. It moves from enamel into dentin, which is softer and lets it spread faster, and then toward the nerve. A cavity that needs a filling today may need a crown in a year and a root canal after that.
The tooth also usually stops warning you at some point. Sensitivity that fades is not always good news. It can mean the decay has reached the nerve. If something felt wrong and then stopped, that is worth an appointment rather than relief.
Read the tooth-colored fillings FAQsHave questions about tooth-colored fillings?
If you’re considering tooth-colored fillings, it’s normal to have questions. Here’s what patients ask Dr. Dunn most often.
How long does a filling take?
Usually under an hour for a single filling, including numbing time. Several fillings in one visit take longer, and we will tell you roughly how long when we schedule.
Will it hurt?
The appointment itself should not. You will be numb for anything beyond a very superficial repair. Afterwards, mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days is common and normally settles on its own.
How long do tooth-colored fillings last?
Many last a decade or more, though it varies with size, location, your bite, and grinding. Large fillings in back teeth take the most force and tend to have the shortest life. We check existing fillings at every visit.
Can I eat afterwards?
Composite is fully cured before you leave, so there is no waiting on the material. Wait until the numbness wears off, though, or you risk biting your cheek or tongue without feeling it.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not automatically. If an amalgam filling is intact and the tooth is sound, replacing it means removing healthy structure for a cosmetic reason. If it is cracked, leaking, or has decay underneath, that is a different conversation.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
The tooth was irritated by both the decay and the procedure, and it takes a little time to settle. Cold sensitivity for a few days to a couple of weeks is normal. Pain on biting, or sensitivity that worsens rather than fades, is worth a call.
What if the cavity is too big for a filling?
There is a point where too little tooth remains to support a filling reliably, and a crown becomes the better answer. We would rather tell you that up front than place a filling we expect to fail.
Does insurance cover fillings?
Most dental plans cover a portion of restorative treatment. Some plans reimburse composite at the rate of a metal filling and leave you the difference on back teeth. We verify your specific benefits and give you a written estimate before we start.
Can you match the color to my teeth?
Yes. We shade-match against your surrounding teeth in natural light before placing anything. On front teeth this is the part we spend the most care on.
How do I keep from needing more?
Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups cover most of it. If you are getting repeated cavities despite that, something else is going on, such as dry mouth from medication, diet, or reflux, and that is worth investigating.
Why people love Chemung Family Dental
4.9 out of 5 from 440+ Google reviews
I was self conscious about my teeth, but I was very comfortable asking questions. They offered options for my treatment and it was my decision. No pushy sales pitches for more expensive treatments.
Everyone is so friendly…and understanding! I have never been a fan of going to the dentist but they all make it so comfortable!
The hygienist Rita is most patient centered, very professional and expertly skilled. She immediately sets the patient at ease… The office staff made me feel like I was a long term patient, despite the fact that this is my first visit to this practice.
Other services at Chemung Family Dental
Dental Exams & Cleanings
A gentle checkup and cleaning that catches small problems before they get expensive.
Book onlineFamily Dentistry
One office for every age, from a child's first visit to a grandparent's bridge.
Book onlineSame-Day Crowns
A CEREC crown designed, milled, and fitted in a single appointment. No temporary.
Book onlineTeeth Whitening
Professional whitening supervised by your dentist, not guessed at from a box.
Book onlineEmergency Dentistry
Chipped tooth, lost filling, swelling, or pain? Call us and we'll get you seen.
Call (607) 734-2045Gum Disease Treatment
Bleeding gums are treatable. Deep cleaning and maintenance that stops the damage.
Book onlineOral Surgery & Extractions
Surgical extractions handled here by our oral surgeon, not referred across town.
Call (607) 734-2045Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth assessed and removed in the office you already know.
Call (607) 734-2045Sedation & General Anesthesia
For anxious patients and longer surgery, sedation options up to general anesthesia.
Call (607) 734-2045Dental Implants
Replace a missing tooth with a root and crown that work like the real thing.
Call (607) 734-2045Root Canal Treatment
Save an infected tooth and end the pain, usually in one or two visits.
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Practical ways to make a dental visit easier if you have been putting it off.
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