Fix the damage early — keep more of your natural tooth.
From small cavities and worn fillings to chipped or weakened teeth, Bethesda Dental Group restores strength, function and a natural look with treatment matched to what your tooth actually needs.
The earlier we restore a problem, the simpler the treatment may be.
Six signs a tooth may need a little help.
Not every cavity or damaged filling hurts. Sometimes the first clue is simply that a tooth looks, feels or bites differently than it used to.
Tooth sensitivity
A tooth that suddenly reacts to cold, heat or sweets may be telling you something has changed.
Pain when you bite
Discomfort when chewing or releasing your bite can be a reason to have the tooth evaluated.
A visible spot or cavity
A dark area, small hole or change in the surface of a tooth deserves a closer look.
A chipped or cracked tooth
Even a small chip or fracture can change how force moves through the tooth when you chew.
An old filling feels different
A filling that feels rough, loose or damaged should be checked before the surrounding tooth is affected.
Food keeps getting stuck
Food catching repeatedly in the same area can be worth checking for a cavity, damaged filling or contact issue.
Something feel different? It’s easier to check than to guess.
Once decay creates a cavity, the lost tooth structure won’t grow back. The damaged area needs to be cleaned and restored.
A small cavity doesn’t stay small forever.
Early tooth decay can sometimes be managed before the enamel actually breaks down. But once a cavity has formed, the damaged tooth structure needs to be repaired.
For a smaller area, that may mean removing the decay and rebuilding the tooth with a filling. If more tooth structure has been lost, a stronger restoration may be needed instead.
Existing fillings can change over time, too. If one becomes worn, fractured or no longer fits the tooth as it should, checking it early can help us determine the simplest appropriate way to restore the area.
The repair depends on how much support your tooth needs.
Our goal is to restore the problem without doing more treatment than the tooth actually requires.
Tooth-Colored Filling
Composite resin is placed directly into the prepared tooth and shaped to restore areas affected by a small or moderate cavity.
- For small to mid-size cavities where enough healthy tooth structure remains.
- For teeth with older fillings that feel rough, damaged, loose or no longer comfortable.
Filling Repair or Replacement
An older restoration that is worn, fractured or no longer functioning properly can be evaluated and repaired or replaced when appropriate.
Larger Tooth Restoration
When too much tooth structure has been lost for a filling alone, a stronger restoration such as a crown may be recommended to rebuild and protect the tooth.
- For patients with gum disease and plaque or tartar buildup below the gumline.
From damaged tooth to a strong, comfortable bite.
- Find out what’s going on
We examine the tooth and use dental X-rays when needed to understand the extent of the decay, fracture or existing restoration.
- Restore what the tooth needs
We remove damaged or decayed tooth structure and rebuild the area with the restoration that best matches the amount of support needed.
- Check your bite & finish
We shape and polish the restoration, check how your teeth come together and make any adjustments needed for a comfortable bite.
200 reasons to choose us.
We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.
I hadn’t been to the dentist in longer than I wanted to admit, so I was expecting a lecture. Instead, the whole visit felt easy. My cleaning was gentle, everything was explained clearly, and I left knowing exactly what to keep an eye on and when to come back.
Melissa R.
Teeth Cleaning & Exam
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a small chip on my front tooth that bothered me in every photo. I expected a much bigger treatment, but bonding was enough. The shade matches beautifully and the tooth still looks completely natural.
Laura M.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I drink coffee every day and felt like my teeth had gradually become much darker than they used to be. I wanted them brighter, but I definitely didn’t want that artificial super-white look. They helped me choose a shade that still looked like me, and the difference was exactly what I wanted. My smile looks fresher without looking “done.”
Emily S.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I avoided the dentist for years because of a terrible experience when I was younger. By the time I finally booked, I was embarrassed about both my teeth and how anxious I was. Nobody made me feel judged. They talked through the sedation options with me beforehand, explained exactly what to expect and made the appointment feel completely manageable. It was the first time I left a dental office thinking, “I can actually do this again.”
Lauren D.
Sedation Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I used to think preventive dentistry just meant getting my teeth cleaned and coming back six months later. They actually took the time to explain why I kept getting cavities in the same areas and helped me change a few things at home. We also added extra protection to a couple of teeth that needed it. My visits feel much more proactive now instead of waiting for the next problem.
Nicole B.
Preventive Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had been dealing with jaw soreness and painful clicking for months and wasn’t even sure whether I should see a dentist about it. The appointment was very thorough. They asked when the pain happened, checked how my jaw was moving and explained the difference between the joint and the surrounding muscles. I appreciated that the plan felt conservative and specific to what I was actually experiencing.
Sarah L.
TMJ Evaluation & Treatment
Chevy Chase, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea but struggled with my CPAP enough that I wasn’t using it consistently. I talked with my sleep doctor about alternatives and then came to Bethesda Dental Group for an oral appliance. The fitting process was easy, the adjustments were explained clearly, and traveling is much simpler now. My wife is also very happy that the snoring has improved.
James R.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a badly broken molar and kept putting the appointment off because I was nervous about having it removed. They showed me why the tooth couldn’t really be saved, talked me through everything before starting, and the actual extraction was much more manageable than I had built it up to be. I also appreciated that we talked about what to do with the space afterward instead of just stopping there.
Rachel P.
Tooth Extraction
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I went in with a toothache that had kept me up the night before and was honestly dreading hearing “root canal.” The team explained exactly what they were seeing and what would happen next. Once I was numb, the appointment was much easier than I expected, and the relief afterward made me wish I had come in sooner.
Michael T.
Root Canal Treatment
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I chipped an old filling and was convinced it was going to turn into a much bigger procedure. Dr. Shawn showed me exactly what was happening, explained my options clearly, and repaired the tooth without making the visit stressful. My bite feels completely normal again, and the new filling blends in so well I can barely see it.
Daniel M
Composite Filling Replacement
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
Fix it now — before a small repair becomes a bigger expense.
Fillings and restorative treatment are available with Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed, Care Credit financing. No hard credit check · Approved in seconds · Plans from 3 to 24 months. We also accept most PPO insurance plans.
That tooth won’t fix itself. We can help.
Whether it’s a new cavity, a chipped tooth or an old filling that doesn’t feel right, we’ll take a look and recommend the simplest appropriate way to restore it.
