Whitehouse Family Dental
Kristen Shumate, DDS, Richard Shumate, DDS, Hannah Keller, DDS
Composite Fillings
Conservative Cavity Treatment

Our metal-free composite fillings look natural and blend perfectly with your smile.

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Composite Fillings | Dentist

Do You Think You Have a Cavity?

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Composite Bonding

At Whitehouse Family Dental, we believe the best dentistry is the most conservative treatment that solves your problem. Our dentists look for solutions that are not only affordable but also serve your best interest for the long term.

Tooth-colored composite fillings are more conservative than amalgam because we don’t need to remove as much healthy tooth structure for a durable restoration. Composite material also resembles tooth enamel, so we can treat decay and create a long-lasting repair that blends seamlessly with your smile.

How Cavities Develop

Cavities don’t appear overnight. They progress through several stages:

  • Demineralization — Acids from bacteria in the mouth weaken enamel.
  • Enamel decay — The protective enamel layer develops small openings.
  • Dentin decay — Decay reaches the soft dentin layer, spreading more rapidly.
  • Pulp involvement — Without treatment, bacteria reach the tooth's nerve center, causing infection and significant pain.

Seeking treatment at the earliest signs prevents a simple, affordable filling from becoming a more complex root canal or extraction.

Benefits of Composite Dental Fillings

Whitehouse Family Dental uses only mercury-free fillings because they are a more conservative approach, and many patients prefer not to have metal material in their mouths. Tooth-colored composite fillings also offer benefits that metal fillings don't.
More Conservative
Composite material bonds directly to tooth surfaces, requiring less drilling and removal of healthy tooth structure than amalgam fillings. This preservation of natural tooth material supports long-term dental health and strength.
Strengthens the Tooth
Unlike metal fillings that simply fill a space, composite resin creates a strong bond with the tooth. This reinforces the remaining tooth structure, helping prevent cracks and fractures that often occur around silver fillings.
Natural Appearance
Composite fillings are custom-shaded to match your tooth color, making them virtually invisible when you talk, laugh, or smile. No more dark metal spots showing when you open your mouth — just a natural, healthy-looking smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Preventing cavities requires a consistent, comprehensive approach to dental care at home and with your dentist in Whitehouse, OH. While regular professional care is essential, your daily habits form the foundation of cavity-free teeth.

Effective Daily Oral Hygiene Habits

The most powerful cavity prevention happens in your daily routine:

  • Brush thoroughly twice daily for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss between all teeth at least once daily to remove plaque from spaces your toothbrush can't reach.
  • Consider adding an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash to your routine.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when bristles become frayed.

The Role Diet Plays in Oral Health

What you eat significantly impacts your cavity risk:

  • Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially those that stick to teeth.
  • Reduce frequent snacking, which keeps teeth constantly exposed to acids.
  • Drink water throughout the day to rinse away food particles.

Professional Preventive Care Matters

Your visits with us complement your home care:

  • Regular cleanings remove hardened plaque (tartar) that brushing can't eliminate.
  • Professional fluoride treatments strengthen enamel against acid attacks.
  • Dental sealants provide additional protection for healthy teeth.
  • Digital x-rays help us detect cavities in their earliest stages.

Ready to up your cavity prevention game? Call our team at Whitehouse Family Dental at (419) 877-5404 to schedule your next appointment. We proudly serve Whitehouse, Waterville, Monclova, Swanton, Perrysburg, and Maumee patients with comprehensive preventive dental care.

Yes, Whitehouse Family Dental understands that dental anxiety is real and can prevent patients from receiving the care they need. We offer several sedation options to help nervous patients feel relaxed and comfortable during their appointments.

Our Sedation Options

We provide nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation to accommodate different comfort levels.

  • Nitrous oxide offers mild relaxation while allowing you to remain fully conscious and responsive.
  • For patients who need more profound relaxation, oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment to achieve a more profound calming effect.

Procedures Where Sedation Is Helpful

You know your comfort level better than anyone, and sedation can help you relax with any procedure. Many patients find sedation especially beneficial for:

  • Composite fillings, especially multiple restorations in one visit
  • Root canal therapy 
  • Dental implant placement procedures
  • Crown and bridge preparations
  • Extensive cosmetic dentistry work
  • Periodontal treatments
  • Wisdom tooth extractions
  • Any procedure for patients with severe dental phobia

Safe Sedation Sedation Tailored to Your Needs

All sedation is carefully monitored throughout your procedure to ensure your safety and comfort. We'll discuss your medical history, current medications, and anxiety level to determine the most appropriate sedation option for your specific needs.

Your Comfort is Our Priority

Don't let dental anxiety prevent you from achieving optimal oral health. Call Whitehouse Family Dental at (419) 877-5404 to discuss sedation options and schedule your comfortable dental care.

 

The Composite Filling Process

Getting a tooth-colored filling at our Whitehouse, OH, dental office is straightforward and comfortable:

  1. Prepare the Tooth — We'll numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure your complete comfort. 
  2. Remove Decay — We carefully remove only the decayed portion of the tooth, preserving as much healthy structure as possible.
  3. Condition the Tooth — The prepared surface is treated with a mild solution that allows the composite to form a stronger bond.
  4. Apply the Composite  — We place the tooth-colored resin in layers, shaping it to match the tooth's contours.
  5. Cure and Polish — A special light hardens each layer instantly. Once complete, we polish the material for a smooth, natural feel and appearance.
  6. Check the Bite — Finally, we check your bite to ensure the filling feels comfortable when you close your teeth together.

Composite Fillings Smile Gallery

  • Bonding-Before-Image
    Before
    Bonding-After-Image
    After
    • See the Smile Gallery

    Cosmetic Dental Bonding

    The same composite resin used for fillings can also be applied to repair minor cosmetic imperfections without removing tooth structure. This conservative approach, called composite bonding, can address:

    • Small chips
    • Narrow gaps between teeth
    • Slight misalignments
    • Discolored spots
    • Worn edges

    Do You Think You Have a Cavity?

    If you notice signs of a cavity, like tooth sensitivity, a dark spot on a tooth, or pain when biting down, you might have a cavity, and we can help. Call our dentist in Whitehouse, OH, at (419) 877-5404. We gladly serve patients from all surrounding communities, including Waterville, Monclova, Swanton, Perrysburg, and Maumee.

    • Dr. Kristen Shumate

      Dr. Shumate founded Whitehouse Family Dental in 2014, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a dentist. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery cum laude from The Ohio State University ...

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    • Dr. Richard Shumate

      Dr. Rick Shumate has owned and practiced at Whitehouse Family Dental since 2016, bringing his expertise in implants, grafting, root canals, and cosmetic dentistry to the community. A 2011 graduate ...

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    • Dr. Hannah Keller

      As an associate dentist at Whitehouse Family Dental, Dr. Hannah Keller is proud to be part of a dedicated team committed to providing the very best patient care and customer ...

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