Clearwater Dental

Dr. Jerry Han, Dr. Eric Rose, Dr. Lance Rhoten

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(509) 783-5000

Clearwater Dental

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Clearwater Dental > Services > Composite Fillings & Bonding

Composite fillings strengthen a weakened tooth and are virtually invisible.

Composite Fillings & Bonding

At Clearwater Dental, we believe in providing affordable, effective, and conservative dental solutions. As your dentist in the Tri-Cities, we use tooth-colored composite fillings to restore decayed teeth and enhance smiles.

Composite fillings comprise powdered glass or ceramic particles in a strong resin base. This combination gives the material a translucent look that blends beautifully with natural tooth enamel.

How Tooth Cavities Develop

Cavities don’t develop overnight. Bacteria in the mouth produce acids that slowly wear away a tooth's protective enamel. The decay advances deeper until it reaches the tooth's nerve and causes a toothache.

When caught early, our dentists can treat cavities with a simple filling, but waiting too long may lead to more extensive treatment. This is why regular checkups are so important—they help us catch and treat decay in its earliest stages, protecting oral health and overall wellness.

Benefits of Composite Tooth Fillings

Until recently, the only reliable tooth-filling option was silver amalgam. Today, our patients want more conservative, metal-free options, and composite tooth fillings are the solution. Take a look at all the benefits of choosing tooth-colored composite fillings:

Seamless Appearance

Unlike silver amalgam, we custom-match composite fillings to your natural tooth color, making them virtually invisible and perfectly blending with your smile.

Superior Strength

These advanced materials bond directly to the tooth’s structure. This helps create a strong seal and reinforce and strengthen the tooth.

Conservative Repair

Composite materials require less removal of healthy dental structure compared to amalgam fillings, helping maintain strength and integrity.

Metal-Free Restoration

Composite fillings contain no mercury or metals, so they are biocompatible and ideal for those with metal sensitivities or who prefer metal-free dentistry.

Better Protection

Metal fillings expand and contract with temperature changes, but composite fillings maintain their shape and provide better protection against future decay.

OUR TEAM

Your Filling Appointment: What to Expect

Getting a tooth filling involves the following steps:

Diagnosis — Using digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, we’ll show you where the decay is and why we recommend treatment.
Treatment Planning — We'll discuss the extent of decay and recommend the most conservative treatment approach.
Ensuring Comfort — Strong local anesthetics ensure complete comfort; nitrous oxide is available if you feel anxious.
Decay Removal — We carefully remove damaged tooth structure while preserving healthy tooth material.
Expert Placement — The color-matched composite is placed in the prepared tooth, shaped to match its contours, and hardened with a curing light.
Final Adjustments — We check your bite and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your filling feels natural.

Perfect Your Smile with Composite Bonding

Composite material isn't just for filling cavities—it's also an excellent solution for small cosmetic improvements. Dental bonding can address the following:

Chipped or cracked teeth
Small gaps between teeth
Misshapen teeth
Discolored teeth
Worn tooth edges

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent cavities?

Preventing cavities requires a combination of good home care habits and regular professional dental care. While brushing and flossing are essential, cavity prevention goes beyond basic oral hygiene.

Daily Habits for a Cavity-Free Smile

Start with thorough brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Equally important is paying attention to your diet and eating habits. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, and avoid frequent snacking throughout the day, which keeps your teeth constantly exposed to acids. When you do enjoy sweet treats, try to have them with meals rather than as separate snacks.

Routine Preventive Care

Regular dental checkups at Clearwater Dental are crucial for cavity prevention. Professional teeth cleanings remove hardened plaque that brushing alone can't. Dental checkups keep your smile healthy by allowing us to catch early signs of decay and treat them before cavities form. We can also recommend preventive treatments like fluoride applications and dental sealants when appropriate.

Call Us for Invisible Cavity Repair

At Clearwater Dental, we are pleased to offer metal-free, tooth-colored composite fillings that blend perfectly with your smile. To protect your teeth against decay, call Clearwater Dental at (509) 783-5000 to schedule a preventive care appointment. If you already have a cavity, we’ll provide the judgment-free care you need.

We proudly serve patients throughout the Tri-Cities area, including Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, WA.

Long-Lasting Results with Proper Care

With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, composite fillings and bonding typically last 7-10 years or longer. Our team will monitor your restorations during routine visits to ensure they continue protecting and beautifying your smile.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Don't let tooth decay progress into a more serious problem. Call Clearwater Dental at (509) 783-5000 to schedule a composite filling appointment or learn about cosmetic bonding options. We proudly serve patients throughout the Tri-Cities area, including Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, WA, providing conservative, affordable solutions for healthy, beautiful smiles.