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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Composite Fillings in Walsh
A cavity or worn filling? Learn how composite fillings are placed at our Port Dover office for Walsh patients, where they work best and how they last.
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Caring for patients from Walsh and the surrounding countryside at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for WalshRepair that blends in
A filling restores the tooth while keeping as much of it as possible.
Composite fillings are made from a tooth-coloured resin that bonds to enamel and dentin. They are used to repair cavities, small fractures and worn areas, and they can be shaded to blend with surrounding teeth. Because the material bonds directly to the tooth, the dentist can often remove less healthy structure than older filling types required.
When a Walsh patient needs a filling, the work is done at our Port Dover office after an examination and any X-rays needed. The dentist will explain the size and location of the problem, whether composite is a good choice for that tooth and what else might be considered.
Finding the problem
Small cavities often have no symptoms at all.
Symptoms that suggest a cavity
Sensitivity to sweets or cold, a rough edge your tongue keeps finding, food catching between teeth or a dark spot can all point to decay. Many cavities, though, are discovered at routine exams long before they cause any discomfort, which is one reason regular checkups are worthwhile even when everything feels fine and you are tempted to skip a visit.
How decay is confirmed
The dentist looks at the tooth surface, checks for soft areas and may use X-rays to see decay between teeth or under existing fillings. Once the extent is known, you will hear whether a filling is the right repair or whether the damage is large enough to need something stronger, such as an onlay or crown, to protect the remaining tooth.
Is composite right
Composite suits many teeth, but not every situation.
Where composite works well
Composite is commonly used for front and back teeth with small to moderate cavities. It can be matched to your natural shade and polished smooth so it is hard to spot. It is also useful for repairing chipped edges and for replacing older fillings that have cracked, worn down or developed decay along their margins over the years.
When another restoration may be better
Very large cavities, teeth with heavy biting forces or significant cracks may do better with an inlay, onlay or crown. Heavy grinding can also shorten the life of composite. The dentist will explain the reasoning so you can weigh durability, cost and how much natural tooth would be preserved with each option before you decide.
The appointment
Most composite fillings are completed in one visit.
Numbing and preparing the tooth
A local anaesthetic is usually given so the tooth is comfortable throughout. The dentist removes decay and keeps the area dry, which is important for the material to bond well and last. A thin band or small wedge may be placed between teeth to help shape the filling against its neighbour so floss slides through properly afterwards.
Layering, curing and shaping
Composite is applied in layers, each hardened with a curing light. The dentist then shapes the filling to fit your bite and polishes it to a natural sheen. You will be asked to bite on a thin paper so any high spots can be found and adjusted. Let the dentist know if anything feels uneven before you leave the chair.
Aftercare
A little care helps the new filling settle in.
The first day or two
Wait for numbness to wear off before eating so you do not bite your lip or cheek. Some mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days is common, particularly with deeper cavities. If your bite feels high, pain grows rather than fades or sensitivity lasts beyond a couple of weeks, call the office so the dentist can check the filling.
Making the filling last
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily and limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks. Avoid using teeth to open packages or crack hard shells. Regular exams let the dentist check the edges of your fillings for wear or new decay, ideally long before you have to make an unplanned trip from Walsh.
Planning your appointment
Booking a filling from Walsh
Phone our Port Dover office if you have sensitivity, a broken filling or a spot that worries you. We will arrange an examination and explain whether a composite filling is the recommended repair.
If another dentist has already diagnosed the cavity, bring any records or X-rays that may help with planning your treatment.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Composite filling questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How long do composite fillings last?
It varies with the size of the filling, where it is, your bite and your habits. Many last for years with good care. Regular exams allow the dentist to monitor them and recommend repair or replacement when they start to wear.
Is a composite filling as strong as metal?
Modern composites are durable for many situations, though large fillings in heavy-biting areas may need extra consideration. The dentist will recommend the material that offers a sensible balance of strength, appearance and tooth preservation for that tooth.
Will my tooth be sensitive afterwards?
Some sensitivity for a few days is common, especially with deeper cavities close to the nerve. It usually fades on its own. If it is severe, worsens or lasts beyond a couple of weeks, contact the office for a review.
Can I eat right after the filling?
Composite hardens with the curing light, so the material is set when you leave. Wait until the numbness wears off to avoid biting your cheek or tongue, and start with softer foods if the tooth feels tender that day.
Can old metal fillings be replaced with composite?
Sometimes. If an old filling is cracked, leaking or has decay around it, replacement may be suggested. Replacing sound fillings purely for appearance is a separate discussion the dentist can have with you, weighing the trade-offs.
Other ways to restore teeth
General Dentistry →Inlays and Onlays →
Between a filling and a crown, inlays and onlays rebuild damaged back teeth. Walsh patients can learn when Port Dover’s dentist may suggest one and why.
Replacement of Old or Stained Fillings →
Dark, worn or leaking fillings? Walsh patients can learn when replacement is advisable, how Port Dover’s dentist decides and which tooth-coloured options suit.