Dental Fillings

Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings in Ivy, VA

Cavities happen to the best of us. When decay strikes, Dr. Michelle Kim restores your tooth with modern, tooth-colored composite fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural smile. No silver. No mercury. Just clean, durable results.

Why Composite Fillings?

Composite resin fillings have largely replaced the metal amalgam fillings of decades past. Made from a blend of fine glass particles and medical-grade resin, composite fillings are matched precisely to the shade of your natural enamel. The result is a restoration that is virtually invisible, even on front teeth.

Beyond cosmetics, composite fillings bond directly to tooth structure, which allows Dr. Kim to preserve more of your healthy tooth during preparation. This conservative approach keeps your tooth stronger in the long run compared to traditional metal fillings, which require more removal of healthy enamel to stay in place.

What to Expect During Your Filling Appointment

After gently numbing the area, Dr. Kim removes the decayed portion of your tooth and cleans the cavity thoroughly. The composite material is applied in thin layers, each one hardened with a curing light before the next is placed. This layering technique builds strength while allowing Dr. Kim to sculpt the filling to match the natural contours of your tooth.

Once the filling is shaped and polished, most patients cannot tell where the restoration ends and their natural tooth begins. The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, and you can eat and drink normally the same day.

Replacing Old Metal Fillings

Many patients in the Ivy and Charlottesville area visit us to replace aging silver amalgam fillings. Over time, metal fillings can crack, corrode, or allow bacteria to seep underneath. Dr. Kim can safely remove these old restorations and replace them with bonded composite fillings that look better and help protect the remaining tooth structure.

Keeping Fillings Healthy Long-Term

With proper care, composite fillings can last many years. Brushing twice daily, flossing, and keeping up with regular checkups at our Ivy Road office are the best ways to extend the life of your restorations. Dr. Kim monitors all fillings at each exam and will let you know if any need attention.