![a front tooth with slight damage](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_002.jpg)
When repairing a small cavity, a composite filling can restore your tooth to shape and function while also mimicking it's natural shade.
![a front tooth being drilled out](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_004.jpg)
During the first step, your tooth is prepared by removing the decayed portion, leaving a small prepared area that will be filled with the composite.
![the tooth under a curing light](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_006.jpg)
Next, a special bonding agent is applied to the prepared area- this bonding process helps to ensure that the filling will attach to the natural tooth structure. A special curing light is then used to set the bonding fluid.
![the tooth being filled with composite material](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_008.jpg)
Your dentist then applies the composite material to fill the prepared area, and shapes it to match the contours of your tooth surface.
![the tooth being cured by a light](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_010.jpg)
Again using the curing light, the shaped composite is solidified into place.
![the tooth being polished](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_012.jpg)
As a final step, your doctor will polish the composite filling to smoothen it and give it a similar sheen to the rest of your tooth.
![the tooth repaired](https://www.virginiadentalcenter.com/sites/default/public/education-videos/composite-filling-anterior-cut-sheet/Image_014.jpg)
Once completed, your tooth is free of decay and restored to optimal strength and appearance.
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