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We are committed to saving your natural teeth whenever possible. Fillings and bonding are tools that can be used to repair decay, cracks, or other issues before they progress into a more serious problem that might lead to tooth loss. We focus on comfortable, natural-looking fillings and bonding.
Estero Bay Dental provides tooth-colored fillings and dental bonding to patients in Estero and Bonita Springs, with Dr. Ivan Vigoa and our team working to save your natural teeth whenever possible.
A small cavity or a chipped edge rarely feels urgent at first, but both can grow into larger problems when they are left alone. Fillings and bonding repair the damage early, so the tooth stays strong and you keep more of your natural smile.
At Estero Bay Dental, Dr. Ivan Vigoa and our Estero, FL team strive to provide the most natural result for all restorative procedures, using digital X-rays and intraoral cameras to show you exactly what we see.
For this reason we offer composite fillings because they are designed to be natural in appearance. Dental restoratives, more commonly known as fillings, can be direct or indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed in a single visit. They include silver amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. They include inlays and onlays, which are used when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but not enough to necessitate a crown.
| Type | Appearance | Good To Know |
|---|---|---|
| Composite (resin) | Tooth-colored, blends with the teeth | Made of ceramic and plastic compounds that chemically bond to the tooth and preserve more natural tooth structure. |
| Silver amalgam | Darker and more easily seen | Strong and durable, which makes it useful where restored teeth must withstand heavy chewing forces in the back of the mouth. |
| Glass ionomer and resin ionomer | Tooth-colored | Direct fillings placed in a single visit. |
| Inlays and onlays | Custom-made restorations | Indirect restorations that generally require two or more visits. |
Composite fillings blend well with the teeth and appear more natural than amalgam fillings, which are darker and more easily seen by other people. They can be used to fill in decayed areas of the teeth, as well as to help repair chipped or broken teeth. Most dentists use composite restorations to treat the teeth closest to the front of the mouth, as they are more noticeable when patients smile.
Advancements in dental technology and the composition of composite fillings have made it possible for dentists to also use tooth-colored fillings on molars, which receive more wear than other teeth. Another advantage of composite fillings is they allow the dentist to preserve more of the natural tooth structure. This is because they chemically bond to the surface of your tooth like an adhesive. The same bonding approach is used to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth, and you can read more about chipped tooth repair and cracked tooth repair on our site.
Composite fillings are cured with light to complete the process. You should be able to return to normal activity and oral care immediately after your visit. It is normal for treated teeth to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following treatment, but if you have sensitivity that persists beyond a week, you should call us.
Fillings are one piece of a larger prevention plan. Keeping your teeth clean and checked helps protect the work you have already had done. For general information, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains the basics of tooth decay.
| Habit | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Brush twice a day and floss daily | Keeps plaque from building up around the edges of a filling. |
| Keep your exams and cleanings | Lets us check each filling and catch new decay early. |
| Ask about sealants and fluoride | Adds protection for teeth that are prone to cavities. |
| Call us about lingering sensitivity | Sensitivity that lasts beyond a week should be checked. |
| Tell us if a filling feels rough or high | A quick adjustment can improve comfort. |
If a tooth has more damage than a filling can handle, we will explain your options, which may include an inlay, an onlay, a crown, or a root canal. We are also happy to provide a free second opinion.
Cost depends on the size of the filling and the material used. Estero Bay Dental accepts several PPO insurance plans, and our team will review your benefits with you before treatment. You can read more on our insurance page. If you have no insurance, our Smile Program is a discount program that includes a 15 percent discount on fillings. We accept CareCredit and work with several financing partners, including Cherry Financing, to provide flexible options for paying the cost of treatment over time.
Our Estero office at 21740 S Tamiami Trail #111 welcomes patients from Estero, Bonita Springs, and nearby neighborhoods such as Pelican Landing, Pelican Sound, and Coconut Point. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, and our team speaks both English and Spanish.
Here are answers to questions we often hear about fillings and bonding.
A filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay or a break. The damaged portion is removed and the space is filled so the tooth can work normally again.
Direct fillings are placed in a single visit, while indirect fillings such as inlays and onlays generally require two or more visits. Indirect fillings are used when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but not enough to need a crown.
At Estero Bay Dental, we strive to provide the most natural result, and composite fillings are designed to be natural in appearance. They also chemically bond to the tooth, which allows us to preserve more of the natural tooth structure.
Advancements in dental technology and the composition of composite fillings have made it possible to use tooth-colored fillings on molars. Your dentist will tell you which material fits the tooth.
Yes, your gums and teeth are anesthetized with a local anesthetic near the site of the filling. Our Estero team will check in with you so you stay comfortable.
A resin is placed over the area and cured with a hand-held light for less than a minute. The filling is then shaped and polished before you leave.
It is normal for treated teeth to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following treatment. If sensitivity persists beyond a week, you should call our Estero office.
Bonding uses a tooth-colored material that bonds to the tooth to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. Your dentist will tell you whether bonding or another option, such as veneers, fits your goals.
Coverage varies by plan, and we accept several PPO plans. Our team will review your benefits, and patients without insurance can ask about our Smile Program discount program or our financing options.
If you think you may have a cavity or a chipped tooth, our Estero, FL team is ready to take a look. We proudly serve patients throughout Estero, Bonita Springs, and the surrounding Southwest Florida communities. We invite you to contact our office or request an appointment to schedule your visit.
