Fillings
Free Consult​
- Free Initial Consultation ($50* Value)
*Conditions Apply
WHY CHOOSE
Big Smiles?
SKILLED & COMPASSIONATE
DEVOTED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH PATIENT
Graduated at the Top of his Class from University of the Pacific School of Dental Medicine, San Francisco
20+ Years Clinical Experience
Excels in Implant, Restorative, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
- 100s of Root Canals Completed
- 1000s of Implants Placed
MASTERSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP, International College of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
FELLOWSHIP, International Dental Implant Association (IDIA)
- Awarded for Distinguished IMPLANT EXCELLENCE
FELLOWSHIP, Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD)
- Awarded to Only 6% of Dentists Nationwide
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Testimonials
My daughter is currently having braces treatment at BigSmiles Dental Care and I am very impressed with this dental practice so far. They got us in for our initial consultation on a day that worked for us, and were able to start her braces right away. Dr. Larry Lu sat down with us and explained my daughter's dental issues in simple English that we both could understand. He was quite detailed and some of what he told us we were unaware of up to that point. My daughter felt he was friendly and wanted to go ahead with the treatment with him. Luckily, his price was fair. We were quoted about 2 thousand dollars less than what other local orthodontists quoted us. Nancy (the always smiling front-desk girl) was extremely thorough in going over the treatment schedule and finances. We were fortunate that we have insurance plan to cover about 50% of the cost. Nancy was also good in taking care of the insurance submission for us. I am very confident that Dr. Lu and his staff will make braces as pleasant as possible for my daughter.
William G.★★★★★
Dr. Lu is an amazing dentist - I am lucky to have him! The staff at BigSmiles are always caring, kind and helpful, especially Charlene at the front desk who makes sure I get in right away whenever I am in pain. I have been going to BigSmiles Dental for 10+ years and couldn't recommend better people.
Keandra Elvarezza★★★★★
Another great appointment with the amazing staff at Big Smiles. Friendly, knowledgable and all-around awesome people. I think I'll go back again next week.
David Ashton★★★★★
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If you have a cavity, you’re not the only one. According to one survey, over 85% of Americans have had at least one tooth affected by decay by the age of 40. We give you the option of choosing a durable composite resin filling that more closely matches the color of your teeth or a silver amalgam filling to seal a cavity.
What is
A Filling?
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When we give you a filling, we first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned-out cavity with a filling material.
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam (a metal alloy such as silver).
Filling Procedure
Before filling the cavity, we will first remove the decay and clean the affected area. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled with one of the below mentioned materials.
Which Type of Filling
Is Best?
No one type of filling is best for everyone. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost. Considerations for different materials include:
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
- Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings, generally from three to 10 years.
- Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth.
If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, a crown, or cap, may be recommended. Decay that has reached the nerve may be treated in two ways: through root canal therapy (in which nerve damaged nerve is removed) or through a procedure called pulp capping (which attempts to keep the nerve alive).
Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss any aspect of your dental health – we don’t charge for giving advice!