Dental Fillings in Metairie, LA

A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay or minor injury, restoring its shape and strength while preserving as much natural tooth as possible. Our dental team at Russo Family Dentistry & Aesthetics in Metairie places tooth colored composite fillings that blend with your smile.

Treating a cavity early keeps decay from progressing deeper into the tooth, where a crown or root canal might become necessary.

Cavities don’t always announce themselves. Many are found at routine exams before they cause any symptoms at all, which is one of the best reasons not to skip checkups. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
• A visible dark spot or hole in a tooth
• Food repeatedly catching in the same place
• A rough edge your tongue keeps finding
• Pain when biting down

A lost or broken filling, or a chipped or broken tooth, should also be examined promptly, even if it doesn’t hurt.

We place composite fillings, a resin material that bonds directly to the tooth and is shaded to match it. Because composite bonds to the tooth structure, it often allows a more conservative repair than older materials, and the result blends in rather than standing out when you talk or smile.

Most fillings are completed in a single visit. Here’s how the procedure works:

Local anesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding tissue. You may feel pressure or vibration during the procedure, but sharp pain is not expected.

Your dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and cleans the area, leaving healthy tooth structure in place.

The composite is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a curing light, and shaped to match the tooth’s natural contours.

Your dentist polishes the filling and checks your bite, adjusting until the tooth meets its neighbors comfortably. Contact the office afterward if your bite feels uneven; a small adjustment usually resolves it.

Nervous about dental work? Let us know when you schedule so our team can discuss what may help you feel more comfortable during your visit.

Fillings can last for many years, but no filling is permanent. Lifespan depends on the filling’s size and location, your bite, grinding habits, oral hygiene, and diet. Your dentist checks existing fillings at every routine exam and will let you know if one is wearing, leaking, or cracking before it becomes a bigger problem.

Filled teeth need the same care as the rest: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, avoid chewing ice and very hard objects, and wear a night guard if one is recommended for grinding. Some sensitivity after a new filling is common and often settles within a few days to a couple of weeks. Contact the office if it worsens or doesn’t improve.

A filling works when enough healthy tooth remains to support it. When damage goes further, your dentist may discuss:

• A dental crown when the tooth is too weakened for a filling to hold
• Root canal therapy when decay has reached the nerve
• Dental bonding when the concern is a small cosmetic chip rather than decay

You’ll get an explanation of what was found and why a particular option is recommended before anything is scheduled.

The cost of a filling depends on its size, location, and the number of surfaces being repaired. Contact our office to discuss cost and any insurance questions before your visit.

Russo Family Dentistry & Aesthetics was founded by Dr. Nicole Russo, a Kenner native who earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from LSU School of Dentistry. She is CITA board certified and a member of the ADA, LDA, and NODA. Our dentists provide fillings for children and adults across Metairie, Kenner, and the greater New Orleans area.

The office is located at 4520 Clearview Parkway in Metairie. See our contact page for current office hours.

A small cavity is a small problem only if it gets treated. Schedule a visit at Russo Family Dentistry & Aesthetics and let our team take a look. We serve patients in Metairie, Kenner, and surrounding Greater New Orleans communities.