Composite Fillings
Composite Fillings in St. George Utah
What Are Composite Fillings?
After the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth is removed, a composite resin is bonded to the remaining tooth structure, shaped to restore the tooth's natural form, and hardened before being polished smooth.
At Riverside Dental Care, composite is the material we use for dental fillings.
What Can Composite Fillings Fix?
Cavities
Chipped teeth
Small cracks or fractures
Worn teeth
Old or failing fillings
Small gaps or cosmetic imperfections
Composite Fillings vs. Silver Fillings
Composite fillings offer one very noticeable difference: they can be matched to the color of the tooth rather than leaving a silver or dark restoration visible when you smile.
Composite also bonds directly to tooth structure, allowing the dentist to preserve healthy portions of the tooth while repairing the damaged area.
Replacement may be recommended when an old filling is cracked, leaking, loose, has decay developing around it, or when the surrounding tooth has fractured.
What Happens During a Composite Filling?
Local anesthetic is used to keep the tooth and surrounding area comfortable during treatment. If dental treatment makes you particularly anxious, ask us about the sedation options available at Riverside Dental Care.
The dentist carefully removes decay or damaged tooth structure while preserving as much healthy tooth as possible.
The area is cleaned and prepared so the composite material can bond securely to the tooth.
Composite resin is added and hardened in layers, allowing the dentist to rebuild the natural shape of the tooth.
The restoration is shaped and polished, and we'll make sure the filled tooth fits comfortably against the opposing teeth when you bite.
What Should I Expect After a Filling?
Your mouth may remain numb for a few hours after treatment, so use care when eating until normal sensation returns.
Some temporary sensitivity to cold, heat, or biting pressure can occur after a filling. In many cases, that sensitivity gradually settles as the tooth adjusts.
If your tooth feels like it hits before your other teeth when you bite, or if pain or sensitivity is becoming stronger instead of improving, give us a call. Sometimes a small adjustment to the filling is all that's needed.
Composite material is hardened during the appointment, so you do not need to wait days for the filling itself to set.
How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?
There isn't one lifespan for every filling.
A small filling that receives relatively little biting pressure can behave very differently from a large filling on a back molar.
How long a composite filling lasts can depend on:
- the size of the filling
- which tooth is being treated
- how much natural tooth remains
- your bite
- grinding or clenching
- oral hygiene
- diet and chewing habits
Regular dental exams allow us to monitor the edges of existing fillings and look for wear, cracking, or new decay before a small problem becomes a much larger one.
When Is a Filling Not Enough?
Sometimes a tooth has lost too much structure to be predictably restored with another filling.
A very large filling has to withstand the same chewing forces as the original tooth, but with much less natural tooth remaining around it. Eventually, the remaining tooth can become vulnerable to fracture.
When decay, an old restoration, or a fracture has significantly weakened a tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental crown instead.
A crown covers and protects more of the tooth rather than simply filling the damaged area.
Our goal isn't to make a filling larger than it should be. It's to recommend the most conservative restoration that can reasonably protect the tooth.
Do Dental Plans Cover Composite Fillings?
Many dental insurance plans include fillings as part of basic restorative treatment, but coverage varies between plans.
Factors may include:
Feel anxious about dental visits
Have avoided dental care for years
Need longer or more involved treatment
Have trouble getting numb
Want a calmer, more comfortable experience
Common Questions
Composite Filling FAQs
Composite Fillings at Riverside Dental Care
The best filling is one that restores the tooth without doing more treatment than the tooth actually needs.
Our dentists will evaluate the extent of the decay or damage, explain what they see, and recommend an appropriate way to restore the tooth.
Riverside Dental Care serves patients from two convenient St. George-area locations, with early-morning and evening appointments available on select weekdays.
Whether you've been told you have a cavity, have noticed a chipped tooth, or think an older filling may be failing, we're happy to take a look.
About Us
Trusted by St. George Families for Generations
" If you're dealing with a toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling, or another urgent dental problem, call us right away and we'll help you figure out the next step. With extended weekday hours and two locations across the St. George area, Riverside Dental Care is built to help quickly when it matters most. "— Longtime St. George Patient
" #2 If you're dealing with a toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling, or another urgent dental problem, call us right away and we'll help you figure out the next step. With extended weekday hours and two locations across the St. George area, Riverside Dental Care is built to help quickly when it matters most. "— Longtime St. George Patient
" #3 If you're dealing with a toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling, or another urgent dental problem, call us right away and we'll help you figure out the next step. With extended weekday hours and two locations across the St. George area, Riverside Dental Care is built to help quickly when it matters most. "— Longtime St. George Patient
" #4 If you're dealing with a toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling, or another urgent dental problem, call us right away and we'll help you figure out the next step. With extended weekday hours and two locations across the St. George area, Riverside Dental Care is built to help quickly when it matters most. "— Longtime St. George Patient
Our Locations
Two Convenient Locations Serving St. George & Washington Fields
Hours
Hours
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Whether you need a family dentist, want to improve your smile, feel nervous about dental care, or have an urgent concern — Riverside Dental Care is here to help.
Joining Riverside Dental Care is easy. Book online in minutes or give us a call, and our team will take care of the rest.
