Cavities happen to the best of us but treating them should not mean compromising your beautiful smile. At eyeSMILE, located right on the Bricks of Downtown Hays, our dental team provides seamless, natural-looking composite fillings to repair tooth decay and restore your oral health.
Dr. Jarrod E. Jones, DDS, and Dr. Christine M. Thomas, DMD, use advanced, metal-free materials that blend perfectly with your natural enamel, ensuring that your dental work remains your little secret.
A composite filling is a highly durable, tooth-colored resin used to repair teeth affected by decay, cracks, or minor fractures. Unlike traditional amalgam (silver) fillings, composite resin can be precisely shade-matched to the exact color of your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
The Procedure & Timeline: What to Expect
Getting a composite filling at our Hays office is a quick, comfortable, single-visit procedure that usually takes just 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
1. Preparation (5-10 mins): We first ensure you are completely comfortable by administering a local anesthetic to numb the area.
2. Decay Removal (10-15 mins): Dr. Jones or Dr. Thomas will gently remove the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth, thoroughly cleaning and preparing the area.
3. Placement (10-15 mins): The tooth-colored composite resin is applied in layers. We carefully sculpt the material to match the natural contours of your tooth.
4. Curing & Polishing (5-10 mins): We use a specialized light to instantly harden (cure) the resin. Finally, we polish the tooth so it feels completely smooth and natural against your tongue.
You can return to work, school, and normal activities immediately after your appointment!
We believe in upfront, transparent pricing so you can make informed decisions for your family’s dental care. The cost of a composite filling depends primarily on the size of the cavity and how many “surfaces” of the tooth need repair.
Here is a general estimate of composite filling costs in our office before insurance is applied:
| Filling Type | Estimated Investment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Surface Filling | $190 – $250 | A small cavity on a single side or the biting surface of the tooth. |
| 2-Surface Filling | $250 – $280 | A moderate cavity that extends across two sides of the tooth. |
| 3+ Surface Filling | $270 – $400+ | A larger restoration replacing decay on multiple sides of the tooth. |
Maximizing Your Dental Insurance
Most dental insurance plans cover a significant portion (often 50% to 80%) of the cost of composite fillings. Our friendly front-office team will gladly verify your insurance benefits, provide a clear out-of-pocket estimate before treatment begins, and file claims on your behalf.
With proper oral hygiene, brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups at eyeSMILE, a composite filling typically lasts between 7 and 10 years, and often much longer.
Not at all! We place a topical numbing gel on the gum tissue prior to administering effective local anesthesia to completely numb the tooth and surrounding area before we begin. Most patients report feeling nothing more than mild pressure during the procedure.
Yes! Many of our patients choose to have their old, dark amalgam fillings safely removed and replaced with tooth-colored composite resin for a brighter, more natural-looking smile.
Because the special curing light hardens the resin instantly, you can technically eat right away. However, we recommend waiting until the numbness from the anesthetic wears off to prevent accidentally biting your tongue, lip or cheek.
Don’t let a cavity turn into a bigger, more painful problem. Treat decay early with a beautiful, natural-looking composite filling at eyeSMILE.