Restore Cavities with Tooth-Colored Fillings

Fountaingrove's rebuilt community values quality in every detail. Cavity restoration is an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to excellence. Residents notice when fillings are properly matched to tooth shade and when margins are seamless. Conversely, visible or poorly contoured fillings register as neglect. We approach every filling as a cosmetic opportunity.

Composite filling placement begins with cavity isolation using rubber dam or cotton roll isolation, magnification, and proper retraction. Cavity walls are prepared to remove all diseased structure and establish proper divergence (slight outward-spreading walls). Undercuts are sometimes created in dentin to increase mechanical retention. A bonding system (typically 3-step: etch, primer, adhesive) is applied according to manufacturer specifications. Phosphoric acid etching creates microretentive surface on enamel; primer infiltrates exposed dentin collagen; adhesive resin wets both surfaces.

Composite is placed in layers (incremental technique) to minimize polymerization shrinkage stress. Each increment is approximately 2mm thick and light-cured for 20 to 40 seconds. Larger cavities are filled incrementally from walls inward; smaller cavities may be filled in one increment. Contouring is performed before final light exposure, allowing easier shaping of soft material. Final light polymerization hardens the restoration. Finishing includes smoothing rough edges, contouring proper contact points, and polishing to match surrounding enamel texture. Articulating paper is used to verify occlusion is correct and no high spots contact prematurely.

Your smile shouldn't announce your cavities through visible metal. Composite fillings keep your restorations invisible.