What Is a Dental Filling?

A dental filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay. After removing the decayed portion of the tooth, we fill the resulting space with a restorative material that seals the area, restores the tooth’s original shape, and prevents bacteria from re-entering. The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth and is completed in a single visit.

We also use fillings to repair minor chips, replace old failing amalgam restorations, and address small fractures before they worsen. Digital X-rays and intraoral cameras allow us to detect decay at its earliest stages — when a filling is still the right solution and more invasive treatment can be avoided.

What Happens During a Filling

• Shade-matched to blend with natural tooth color
• Bonds directly to tooth — less drilling required
• No mercury content
• Suitable for front and back teeth
• Lasts 7 to 10 years with proper care
• Can also repair chips and minor cosmetic issues

• Silver/dark metal appearance — visible on back teeth
• Highly durable under heavy chewing forces
• Contains mercury (considered safe by the ADA)
• Requires slightly more tooth removal
• Lasts 10 to 15+ years
• Less commonly used today as composites have improved

Sensitivity to sweets, hot, or cold — especially if it lingers — can indicate decay that has reached close to the nerve. Catching it now means a filling rather than a root canal later.

Dark discoloration, visible pitting, or a hole you can feel with your tongue are all signs of active decay that needs to be addressed before it spreads.

Sharp pain when biting down on a specific tooth suggests a crack, fracture, or decay that is aggravated by pressure. Prompt evaluation determines whether a filling or crown is needed.

Food consistently catching between two specific teeth — especially if it wasn’t happening before — can indicate a cavity developing between teeth (interproximal decay).

If a filling feels rough, chipped, or loose, it may have cracked or developed gaps at the margins — which allows bacteria back in. We check all existing restorations at your cleaning visits.

Most cavities are painless in their early stages. This is why regular checkups and X-rays are essential — they catch decay before it becomes symptomatic and far more expensive to treat.

Not with modern local anesthesia. The injection itself is a brief pinch — after that the tooth is numb and you feel only pressure during the procedure. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal and resolves on its own.

Composite fillings typically last 7 to 10 years with good oral hygiene and regular checkups. Larger fillings, teeth used for heavy chewing, and habits like grinding can shorten longevity. We monitor all restorations at every visit.

Composite fillings typically range from $150 to $300 per tooth depending on the size and number of surfaces involved. Most PPO dental insurance plans cover fillings at 70 to 80% after deductible. We verify your benefits before every appointment.

Yes. If decay has reached the pulp (nerve), a root canal is needed before a filling or crown can be placed. If the tooth structure is too damaged to support a filling, a crown is the appropriate restoration. We always present the most conservative option that will work long-term.

Not necessarily. If old amalgam fillings are intact and not causing problems, there is no urgent need to replace them. If they are cracked, leaking, or have new decay forming around them, replacement with composite is often the right call. We evaluate all existing restorations at checkups.

Decay expands. A small cavity becomes a large one. Eventually the decay reaches the nerve, causing significant pain and requiring a root canal. From there the tooth may crack or require extraction. A simple filling now prevents a cascade of increasingly complex and expensive treatment.

“Had three fillings done at once and barely felt a thing. The tooth-colored material looks so natural — you genuinely cannot tell I had any work done. Great experience all around.”

— Patient, The Tribute

“My son had his first filling here. He was scared going in but the team was so patient with him and made it completely non-dramatic. He came out totally fine and wasn’t bothered at all.”

— Frisco Parent, Lone Star Ranch

“They replaced two old silver fillings with composite at my cleaning appointment. The team explained exactly what they found, what needed replacing and what didn’t. Appreciated the honesty.”

— Patient, Phillips Creek Ranch