Dental fillings do more than simply plug a hole — they restore how a tooth looks, feels, and functions. When decay or damage weakens a tooth, a carefully placed filling rebuilds its shape, protects the remaining structure, and helps prevent further problems that can affect chewing and neighboring teeth.
Modern restorative dentistry places a high value on durability and appearance. Today’s filling materials are designed to blend with your smile while standing up to everyday wear. Because cavities are still common across age groups, fillings remain one of the most frequently performed restorative treatments in general dental care.
Our approach emphasizes precision and comfort. At Smith Tano Dental Group, we explain your options clearly so you understand the benefits and limitations of each material. The goal is the same whether we’re treating a small cavity or repairing a larger defect: preserve as much natural tooth as possible and deliver an outcome that lasts.
Attempts to repair teeth go back thousands of years, but the materials and techniques have changed dramatically. Early restorative efforts were rudimentary; by the 19th century, metal alloys became common and offered a balance of strength and affordability. Over time those materials were refined, and newer, more aesthetic options emerged.
In the last several decades, advances in adhesive dentistry and composite materials have shifted the focus toward tooth-colored restorations that bond to enamel and dentin. These developments let clinicians preserve more healthy tissue and create restorations that are difficult to distinguish from natural tooth structure.
While some traditional materials are still used for specific indications, many patients and clinicians now prefer restorations that combine longevity with a pleasing appearance. The result is a wider palette of predictable, conservative solutions for treating decay and damage.
Every mouth is unique, and selecting a filling involves balancing functional needs, cosmetic goals, and the condition of the remaining tooth. Our team evaluates each case with an eye toward minimally invasive care — removing only damaged tissue and reinforcing what remains so your tooth can continue to perform well for years.
Communication is an essential part of the process. We’ll review the types of fillings that suit your situation, explain how the procedure will feel, and outline what you can expect during recovery. When appropriate, we can also discuss options to make treatment more comfortable for anxious patients.
We focus on delivering restorations that are both strong and attractive. Whether you prefer a discreet, tooth-colored solution or require a specialty material for a high-wear area, our priority is to deliver results that support long-term oral health.
Today’s restorative materials vary in composition and purpose, giving clinicians flexibility to match a material to the location and extent of the defect. Some materials are placed directly in a single visit, while others are fabricated outside the mouth and bonded in place for higher durability.
Choosing a material depends on several factors: the tooth’s size, its location in the mouth, functional demands, and the patient’s aesthetic goals. Materials also differ in how they interact with tooth structure — some bond chemically, others rely on mechanical retention.
Below are commonly used options and the strengths they bring to different situations. Your clinician will recommend the best choice based on a careful assessment of both immediate needs and long-term prognosis.
Composite resins are versatile, cosmetically appealing materials that blend with natural tooth color. They consist of resin and glass fillers and harden when activated by a curing light. Because they bond to the tooth surface, composites often require less removal of healthy tooth structure compared with older restoratives.
Composites are frequently used for visible teeth and for repairs where a seamless appearance is desired. They can be shaped and polished to mimic enamel, though they may be more susceptible to staining or wear over many years and occasionally need maintenance or replacement.
Dental amalgam is a long-established material known for its strength and resilience, particularly in back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces. Although not tooth-colored, amalgam remains a practical choice in situations where durability and resistance to wear are prime considerations.
Glass ionomer materials bond to tooth structure and release fluoride over time, which can help protect the adjacent tooth surface. They are often used in pediatric dentistry, for restorations near the gumline, or as temporary solutions when more durable work will follow.
Because glass ionomers are gentler on the tooth and can chemically adhere without extensive preparation, they’re a useful option when conserving tooth structure is a priority.
Ceramic restorations are fabricated from dental porcelain and are prized for their stain resistance and lifelike translucency. When a cavity is large or a cusp needs protection, an inlay or onlay (an indirect restoration made in a lab or milled in-office) offers a strong, long-lasting solution that closely matches natural enamel.
Because these restorations are made outside the mouth and bonded into place, they can deliver excellent fit and durability for teeth that require more than a direct filling but less than a full crown.
Gold has a long history in restorative dentistry and remains an excellent material for certain clinical situations. Gold restorations are durable, kind to opposing teeth, and highly corrosion-resistant. Due to their cost and appearance, they are selected less often today, but can be ideal where longevity and biocompatibility are primary concerns.
When decay is suspected, your dentist evaluates the area visually and with diagnostic imaging if needed to determine the extent of the lesion. A treatment plan is then created that considers the tooth’s structural needs and your personal preferences for materials and aesthetics.
On the day of the procedure, local anesthesia is commonly used to keep you comfortable. The dentist removes decayed tissue and shapes the cavity to receive the chosen restorative material. In many cases, placement can be completed in a single appointment with precise, minimally invasive techniques.
Some restorations require temporary protection while a permanent piece is fabricated. For direct fillings like composite or amalgam, the material is placed, contoured, and polished during the same visit. For indirect restorations such as onlays or ceramic inlays, impressions or digital scans are taken and the final restoration is bonded at a follow-up appointment.
Throughout the procedure, attention to detail — from moisture control to bite adjustment — impacts the final fit and comfort. Our team focuses on efficient, gentle care to reduce chair time while maintaining excellent restorative outcomes.
Deciding which filling is best involves a practical assessment of function, appearance, and longevity. For front teeth or small visible areas, tooth-colored composites or ceramics are often preferred for their seamless look. For large restorations in molars, stronger materials that tolerate heavy chewing may be recommended.
Conservation is a guiding principle: when possible, we preserve natural tooth structure because it helps the tooth remain stronger over time. The size and location of the cavity, previous restorations, and the tooth’s overall health all factor into the final recommendation.
We also take patient preferences into account. Some people prioritize a restoration that is virtually invisible, while others emphasize maximum durability. Our role is to present the clinical trade-offs clearly so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term oral health goals.
After a filling is placed, some short-term sensitivity or awareness of the restoration is normal as the tooth adapts. This typically settles within days to weeks. It’s helpful to avoid very hard or sticky foods for a short period and to be mindful while the local anesthetic wears off.
Good daily oral hygiene — brushing twice, flossing once, and attending regular checkups — plays the biggest role in how long a filling lasts. Routine exams allow your dentist to monitor restorations for wear or marginal breakdown and to address issues early when they’re easier to treat.
If you notice persistent pain, a bite that feels uneven, or visible changes to a restoration, contact our office for an evaluation. Timely attention can often restore comfort and extend the life of the restoration without more invasive treatment.
Limit habits that accelerate wear, such as chewing on hard objects or using teeth as tools. If you grind or clench, discuss protective options like a nightguard. Maintaining balance in your oral health routine and seeing your dentist regularly are the most dependable strategies for long-term success.
In summary, dental fillings are a foundational treatment for preserving teeth affected by decay or damage. With a range of materials and techniques available, modern dentistry can restore function and aesthetics while prioritizing the conservation of healthy tooth structure. If you have questions about which option is right for you or would like to discuss treatment in more detail, please contact us for more information.
If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.
We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.
Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don't accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it's essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.
Dental insurances typically cover the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of Smith Tano Dental Group, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
