Composite Fillings in La Jolla, CA

Do you think you have a cavity? Have you been told that you need to get a dental filling? Harmony Dental Group in La Jolla, CA offers advanced composite fillings that match your teeth. But the advantages of white fillings extend beyond just cosmetics; these composite restorations are safer and healthier for your smile.

Benefits of Composite Dental Fillings

Composite (white) fillings are very healthy for your tooth enamel and help preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Composite fillings are less invasive than traditional silver ones, as the materials bond directly with your tooth structure. In contrast, silver fillings are wedged into place, requiring additional tooth alteration.

Our La Jolla dentist can also choose the color of composite used so that it will blend in with your natural smile.

• Improved Appearance: It is easy to see why a white filling looks better than a standard silver one, especially at the front of your smile. Composite materials match your enamel, so they blend in seamlessly with your existing tooth structures. You can get white fillings in a variety of colors so that you can enjoy natural-looking results that others won’t notice whenever you’re smiling.
• Minimally-Invasive to Teeth: White fillings are not only attractive, but they also offer the benefits of being minimally invasive to your teeth. They bind to your enamel and preserve healthy tooth structure by minimizing how much of it is altered during the procedure. Only the affected area of decay needs to be removed.
• Better Versatility: The nature of composite fillings allows us to place them on any tooth throughout the mouth, including front teeth, along the gumlines, and on smooth tooth surfaces. Composite materials are also used for cosmetic bonding if you have a slightly chipped or misshaped tooth.

Should I Get a White Dental Filling?

Cavities are a type of bacterial infection that can cause physical damage to your teeth and spread to the ones on either side of it. By treating your cavity quickly, Harmony Dental Group can help prevent the spread of decay and the need for additional dental procedures.

You might need a dental filling if:

• You’re experiencing sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks
• There’s a rough edge that you can feel with your tongue
• Food is getting caught between your teeth whenever you eat
• Floss is snapping or shredding around a certain tooth
• There is a visible shadow on your dental X-rays

The only way to know for certain whether you need a dental filling is to schedule an exam and X-rays at Harmony Dental Group. We’ll use your updated dental X-rays to screen for cavities inside of and between your teeth, intercepting them as early as possible before they can spread. If you have concerns about whether or not you need a filling, our team can provide you with a second opinion and answer any questions that you have. We also share your imaging with you so that you can help co-plan your treatment needs.

The Composite Filling Procedure

It is easy to get a new composite dental filling. The only thing that you will feel is a little bit of pressure because your tooth is completely numb. After cleaning out the affected area of decay, our La Jolla dentist will prepare the tooth and shape the tooth-colored composite material inside of the void. The composite is then cured into place using bright light, hardening it and bonding the material to your tooth structure.

An average dental filling appointment takes less than an hour to complete in most cases. Even though your tooth will be numb, you can still ask our La Jolla dentist about optional sedation during your appointment.

How to Care for White Fillings

Even though fillings can’t get new cavities, the surrounding tooth can still be susceptible to decay. To prevent your filling from failing or tooth decay from recurring, it is important to floss and brush your teeth every day. Flossing won’t pull out your white filling, but if you don’t floss, you will put it at risk of failing. Also, be sure to plan a checkup at checkup Harmony Dental Group every six months to have your teeth and dental work evaluated.

How Much Does a Composite Filling Cost?

The price of composite dental fillings used to be more than traditional silver restorations, but that’s not always the case anymore. That being said, there are certain factors that can impact the total price of your white filling. Such as the size of the cavity, the number of tooth surfaces involves, and if you’re using dental insurance to pay for a portion of your treatment. Insurance carriers vary from one policy to the next, so our treatment coordinators will verify your benefits before providing you with an itemized treatment plan.

Repairing a cavity with a white filling is much more affordable than waiting until you need a crown or root canal. If you have concerns about the price of dental fillings in La Jolla, be sure to ask about our affordable payment options.

La Jolla White Dental Fillings

Are you concerned about a possible cavity in your tooth? Harmony Dental Group offers a wide range of restorative options, with composite fillings being some of the most conservative available. Our La Jolla dentist can help you, whether it’s replacing old metal fillings or treating a new cavity.

Call Harmony Dental Group now to schedule your next dental filling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Definition of common dental fillings terminology

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Dental Fillings) | (ADA) Glossary of Dental Terms