Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored composite fillings repair decay, chips and cracks in a single visit, shaded to blend so well the repair is practically invisible.
- Visits
- One
- Chair time
- Under an hour for most fillings
- Anesthetic
- Local
- Back to normal
- Straight away; sensitivity settles in days
- Results last
- 7 to 10 years with good care
Every service is quoted up front, before we start. All PPO insurances accepted.
The service
Repair the tooth, hide the evidence.
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health conditions, and where it cannot be prevented a filling is the affordable, safe fix. We use composite resin shaded to match your own tooth structure, layered and cured in place, for decay, chipped teeth and cracked teeth alike.
Composite is mercury-free. The ADA has concluded both amalgam and composite are safe and effective, but composite wins on looks and lets us keep more of the healthy tooth, so it is what we place.
When the damage needs more than a filling but less than a crown, a porcelain inlay or onlay is the middle path: crafted at a dental lab by a ceramist, cemented into the tooth (inlay) or over its chewing surface (onlay). Porcelain mimics enamel closely and can last 10 to 15 years or more with good care.
What happens
One visit, start to finish.
Isolation
The tooth is numbed and isolated from saliva so the bonding surface stays dry.
Cleaning out
All the decay is removed, leaving only sound tooth structure.
Bonding and layering
An etchant and bonding agent prepare the surface, then composite resin goes in layer by layer, each one hardened with a curing light.
Shaping and polish
The filling is sculpted to the shape of a real tooth, then smoothed and polished until your bite feels like nothing happened.
Is it for you
Worth asking about if.
You do not need to match every line. Any one of them is reason enough to ask.
- A tooth twinges at sweet, hot or cold
- You can see or feel a chip or crack
- A dark spot has appeared and stayed
- An old metal filling is failing or you want it gone
- Food keeps catching in the same place
Common questions
Answering your questions.
How much does a filling cost?
In Los Angeles a typical range is $200 to $550, depending on which tooth needs the filling and the material required. We confirm the price before any work starts.
How long do composite fillings last?
Typically 7 to 10 years with proper care: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and keep your six-month check-ups.
What should I expect afterwards?
Some sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets for a few days is normal, and it fades on its own as the tooth adapts.
Can a filling come loose?
It can crack or loosen under excessive force, such as chewing very tough food or grinding your teeth. If yours feels different, have it checked; a small fix now beats a bigger one later.
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