Tooth-Colored Fillings, Inlays, and Onlays in Long Beach, CA

A cavity or a worn-out filling doesn’t have to leave a dark spot in your smile. At Salem Dentistry in Long Beach, Dr. Roxana Salem, DDS, restores teeth with tooth-colored materials only. She uses composite fillings for smaller repairs and porcelain or zirconia inlays and onlays for larger ones, so your tooth looks natural and keeps as much of its own structure as possible.

Call 562-435-8339 or book online

Why patients choose Salem Dentistry for fillings and restorations

• Tooth-colored only. We don’t place silver (amalgam) fillings. Every restoration is matched to the shade of your teeth.
• We save healthy tooth. Dr. Salem chooses the most conservative repair that will last, so more of your natural tooth stays in place.
• One dentist from start to finish. You see Dr. Salem at every visit.
• Comfort comes first. We numb the tooth completely, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available if you’re anxious.
• Same-day appointments are often available for a toothache or a broken filling.
• Children and adults welcome.
• All PPO plans and Medi-Cal Dental accepted.
• Care in three languages: English, German, and Farsi.

Signs you may need a filling

• A toothache or pain when you bite
• Sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks
• A visible hole, pit, or dark spot on a tooth
• A rough or chipped edge you can feel with your tongue
• Food that keeps getting stuck in the same spot
• An old filling that is cracked, loose, or has fallen out

Many cavities cause no pain at all in the early stages, which is why regular exams and cleanings are important. A small cavity caught early means a small, simple filling.

Tooth-colored composite fillings

A composite filling is made of a strong resin that is matched to the color of your tooth. It bonds directly to the tooth, so Dr. Salem needs to remove only the decayed part and can leave the healthy tooth alone.

Composite fillings are a good choice for small and medium cavities, chipped teeth, and worn edges. They are finished in a single visit:

1. Numbing. Dr. Salem numbs the tooth so you stay comfortable.
2. Removing the decay. She gently removes the decayed part of the tooth and cleans the area.
3. Placing the filling. The composite is placed in thin layers, and each layer is hardened with a special light.
4. Shaping and polishing. She shapes the filling to fit your bite and polishes it so it blends in with your tooth.

Porcelain and zirconia inlays and onlays

When a cavity or an old filling is too large for a regular filling, but the tooth doesn’t need a full crown, an inlay or onlay is often the best answer.

• An inlay fits inside the chewing surface of the tooth, between the cusps (the raised points).
• An onlay is larger and covers one or more of the cusps.

Both are custom-made from porcelain (including E.max) or zirconia and bonded to your tooth. Patients choose them because they:

• Look like natural tooth enamel
• Are stronger and longer-lasting than a large filling
• Preserve more of your natural tooth than a crown
• Resist stains
• Strengthen a tooth that has been weakened by decay or a large old filling

Inlays and onlays usually take two visits. At the first, Dr. Salem prepares the tooth, takes an impression, and places a temporary. At the second, she bonds your finished restoration in place and checks your bite.

Replacing worn or failing silver fillings

Old silver fillings can crack, leak, or wear down over time, letting decay start underneath. When a silver filling is worn or failing, Dr. Salem often replaces it with a porcelain inlay or onlay. The result looks like a natural tooth, and it saves healthy tooth structure that a crown would require removing.

If your silver fillings are still sound, there’s no need to replace them. Dr. Salem checks them at your regular exams and will tell you honestly when one needs attention.

Caring for your new restoration

• Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat, so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue
• Some sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal for a few days
• Brush twice a day and floss once a day, just as you do for your natural teeth
• Call us if your bite feels high or uneven, or if sensitivity lasts more than two weeks

See our oral hygiene page for brushing and flossing tips.

Questions patients ask

Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth is completely numb, so you should feel pressure but not pain. If you’re nervous, nitrous oxide is available to help you relax.

How long does a filling take?
Most composite fillings take under an hour and are finished in one visit. Inlays and onlays take two visits.

How long do fillings, inlays, and onlays last?
With good care, composite fillings last for many years, and porcelain and zirconia inlays and onlays usually last even longer. Good brushing, flossing, and regular checkups make the biggest difference.

How do I know if I need a filling, an inlay or onlay, or a crown?
It depends on how much of the tooth is damaged. Small cavities need a filling. Larger areas do better with an inlay or onlay. A crown is for teeth with too little healthy structure left. Dr. Salem will show you photos of your tooth and explain her recommendation.

Should I have my silver fillings replaced?
Only if they are worn, cracked, leaking, or have decay underneath. Dr. Salem checks them at each exam and replaces them only when there is a reason to.

Can children get tooth-colored fillings?
Yes. We use tooth-colored fillings for children as well as adults.

Do you take my insurance?
We accept all PPO dental plans and Medi-Cal Dental. We do not accept HMO plans. Call us and we’ll check your benefits for you.

My filling fell out. What should I do?
Call us at 562-435-8339. We can often see you the same day. Until then, keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side.

Restore your smile

Call Salem Dentistry at 562-435-8339 or book online today. Dr. Salem will take a look and recommend the smallest repair that will last.