Dental Fillings

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Enjoy a More Natural Smile with Composite Dental Fillings

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it, and in cases where decay is unavoidable, a dental filling is an affordable, natural-looking, and safe solution. Not only are our fillings at Licata Dental some of the most aesthetic restorations available today, but they are strong and long-lasting as well.

Dental Fillings—The Best Solution for Tooth Restoration

At Licata Dental, we rely on high-quality materials, latest technology, and advanced techniques to create restorations for our patients that last a lifetime. Our goal is to create results that are designed to be virtually undetectable. We use white fillings as restorations when our patients have:

How do I know if I need a filling?

If you are experiencing discomfort in your teeth, you may be a good candidate for a filling. Teeth sensitivity is an effective indicator of decay or fracture. When you come in for an evaluation, Dr. Licata directs you to the appropriate dental treatment for your situation. We typically recommend fillings as the best solution for restoring teeth that have severe tooth decay, cracks, chips and cavities.

Cavity Prevention — What can I do to prevent the need for a filling?

The best way to fight cavities and maintain healthy gums and teeth is to keep up on your daily habit of proper oral hygiene. Here are 5 ways to ward off tooth decay and prevent cavities:

Come in to our office for a comprehensive oral exam and regular cleanings.
Brush after meals and use an antimicrobial mouthwash.
Drink more water and cut back on sugary and acidic drinks.
Develop the habit of flossing every night.
Avoid smoking.

Dental Fillings—The Process

The procedure for placing a dental filling is a routine treatment that we do every day at Licata Dental. Here’s how it works:

Dr. Licata isolates the tooth from saliva to keep it dry.
Any dental decay is removed.
An etchant and a bonding agent are applied, followed by the composite resin.
A special light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
After the tooth is filled, the filling is shaped to resemble a real tooth.
Finally, the restoration is smoothed and polished to accommodate your bite.

What’s the difference between a filling and an inlay/onlay?

A filling does what it says it does—it is filling in a cavity, a hole that has been created by decay or trauma, essentially restoring normal tooth anatomy. When we create a filling from composite resin, we shade the white material so that it blends naturally with your surrounding tooth structure. The result is a restoration that is practically invisible.

Inlays and onlas are used when the damage or decay to a tooth requires more than a filling—but less than a crown. In other words, if your tooth does not have enough tooth structure for a filling but it is not so severely damaged that it warrants a crown, you may be an excellent candidate for an inlay or onlay.

Made of porcelain, an inlay is crafted at a dental lab by an expert ceramist and cemented into or onto the center of the tooth, inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay covers the top chewing surface of the tooth. We use porcelain because it very closely mimics enamel and offers decades of strength and security.

Natural-Looking Fillings That Restore Your Smile

White fillings (also called composite fillings) are the most common alternative to traditional silver (amalgam) fillings.

They’re made from a durable blend of acrylic resin and finely ground glass, designed to look and function like your natural tooth. The material is placed in layers, then hardened using a special curing light that helps it bond securely to the tooth.

The result? A strong, natural-looking repair that blends in so well, most people won’t even notice it’s there.

White fillings are considered safe and are custom-shaded to match your surrounding teeth—so your smile stays seamless.

White fillings offer both cosmetic and functional benefits:

Natural appearance – Blends beautifully with your existing teeth
Preserves more tooth structure – requires less removal of healthy tooth compared to metal fillings
Smooth, comfortable fit – designed to feel like your natural tooth
Some composite materials may also release small amounts of fluoride, which can help support enamel and reduce risk of future decay.

are silver fillings bad?

You may have heard some recent buzz around silver (amalgam) fillings—and it’s understandable to have questions.

The truth is, both silver (amalgam) and white (composite) fillings are considered safe and effective by organizations like the American Dental Association. There’s no strong evidence showing that amalgam fillings cause health problems for the general population.

What does tend to happen over time is wear and tear. Silver fillings can expand and contract with temperature changes, and because they don’t bond to the tooth the same way composite fillings do, they may cause small cracks or weaken the surrounding tooth structure over many years.

So when patients notice issues with older silver fillings, it’s usually not because the material is unsafe—it’s simply because fillings aren’t meant to last forever.

Today, many patients choose composite (white) fillings because they’re more natural-looking and help preserve more of the healthy tooth. But both options are safe, and the right choice depends on your specific needs—we’re always happy to talk through what’s best for you.