When you need a filling, you shouldn't have to choose between health and appearance. Tooth-colored composite fillings repair cavities and damage while blending seamlessly with your natural smile. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we combine beautiful, metal-free restorations with comprehensive sedation options, so you can receive comfortable, anxiety-free dental care.
Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite fillings, are made from a tooth-colored resin material that's carefully matched to your natural tooth shade. Unlike old-fashioned silver amalgam fillings, these modern restorations are virtually invisible — even your dentist will have trouble spotting them from across the room.
The composite material bonds chemically to your tooth structure, creating a tight seal that not only looks great but actually strengthens the remaining tooth. Think of it as invisible repair work that rebuilds your tooth to its original strength and appearance.
Common uses include: repairing cavities of any size (small to moderate), fixing chipped or broken teeth, replacing old failing metal fillings, closing small gaps between teeth, and reshaping worn or irregular teeth.
Even "simple" dental fillings cause anxiety for many people. The sound of the drill, the numbness, past negative experiences — we understand these concerns.
Visible Cavities or Dark Spots: Brown, black, or gray spots on teeth often indicate decay requiring filling.
Sensitivity to Hot, Cold, or Sweet: Sharp sensitivity often indicates decay reaching close to the nerve.
Food Trapping: Food consistently getting stuck in the same spot may indicate a developing cavity.
Pain When Chewing: Discomfort or pain when biting down often means decay has weakened the tooth structure.
Failed Old Fillings: Existing fillings can develop new decay around edges or crack over time.
Early detection means smaller, simpler fillings. Left untreated, small cavities grow into large cavities requiring crowns — or worse, root canals and extractions. Regular checkups every six months prevent small problems from becoming big, expensive ones.
On your appointment day, we begin by administering your chosen sedation option. Once comfortable, we numb the treatment area so there's absolutely no pain during the procedure.
The dentist carefully removes all decayed and damaged tooth structure using precise tools. We clean and disinfect the cavity completely, leaving only healthy tooth material. If the cavity is deep, we may place a protective liner to shield the nerve.
We prepare the tooth surface for bonding by applying a mild acidic solution that creates microscopic roughness. After rinsing, we apply bonding agent and then place the composite resin in carefully shaped layers. Each layer is hardened instantly with a special blue curing light.
We continue building up layers until the tooth is completely restored. Finally, we sculpt the filling to match your natural tooth shape, check your bite carefully, and polish everything smooth. The result should feel like your natural tooth.
The numbing typically wears off in 2-4 hours. Avoid eating on that side until numbness is completely gone. Some patients experience mild sensitivity to temperature for a few days — this is normal and gradually resolves.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily including around filled teeth, avoid chewing ice or very hard objects, and use a night guard if you grind your teeth.
High-quality composite fillings typically last 7-10 years or longer with proper care. Signs a filling may need replacement include visible cracks or chipping, sensitivity that doesn't resolve, dark lines appearing around filling edges, or rough edges or changes in texture. We examine all fillings at regular checkups to catch any problems early.
Transparent Filling Pricing
Most dental insurance plans cover composite fillings at 80% on back teeth and 100% on front teeth.
We provide direct billing to major insurance companies and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
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