What are my options for cavity fillings?

We primarily use tooth-colored composite fillings:

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings: - Match your natural tooth color - Bond directly to tooth - Mercury-free - Require less drilling - Can repair chips too - Last 7-10+ years

Advantages of composite: - Invisible repairs - Preserves tooth structure - No metal look - Doesn't expand/contract like amalgam - Can be repaired

The filling process: 1. Numbing the tooth 2. Removing decay 3. Cleaning the cavity 4. Applying bonding agent 5. Layering composite material 6. Shaping and polishing 7. Checking your bite

Composite vs. amalgam (silver): - Composite: Matches teeth, bonds, mercury-free - Amalgam: Silver color, cheaper, older technology

When larger restorations are needed: - Inlays/onlays for larger cavities - Crowns for extensive decay - We recommend most conservative option

We can also safely replace old silver fillings with composite if desired.