Restorative dentistry

Tooth-coloured fillings
Usually done in one visit

Fillings

When decay or a small break damages a tooth, a filling restores its shape and seals it. We show you the problem before we fix it.

Request an appointment (512) 555-0142

01Signs

Could it be a cavity?

Call us soon

Have it seen this week

Pain when you bite
A filling that fell out
A sharp edge cutting your tongue

Book an exam

Likely a cavity

Sensitivity to sweets
A dark spot or a hole you can feel
Food catching between two teeth

Can wait for your checkup

Probably fine for now

A surface stain with no pain
Slight, brief sensitivity to cold

02How it goes

Your filling, start to finish

First
See it yourself

We show you the cavity on the camera and the X-ray.
10 min
Numbing

A gentle local anaesthetic; the tooth is then isolated.
30–60 min
The filling

Decay removed, tooth-coloured composite placed in thin layers.
Right after
Eat normally

Composite is set before you leave — just wait for the numbness to wear off.

$150–$300 per fillingMany PPO plans cover part of this treatment.

03Is it for you

When a filling is needed

Your dentist may recommend a filling for a cavity, a small chip, or an older filling that has worn or cracked. Small cavities often cause no pain at all — which is why we find them at checkups.

We use tooth-colored composite fillings that blend in with your teeth.

04How we work

Our clinical standards

The details that make a difference to how this treatment is done — and why we do them.

A dry, isolated tooth

Bonded fillings and crowns need a dry tooth. We isolate it with a rubber dam or a soft isolation mouthpiece, which also keeps water and material out of your mouth.
Magnification at every step

Our dentists work with magnifying loupes, so only damaged tooth is removed and edges are sealed precisely.
Decay removed, healthy tooth kept

We remove decay with care and keep as much healthy tooth as possible — the smaller the filling, the stronger the tooth.
Tooth-coloured filling in thin layers

Composite is placed and hardened in thin layers, which reduces shrinkage and sensitivity afterwards.
Your bite checked before you leave

We test how your teeth meet — biting and sliding side to side — and adjust until it feels like your own tooth.

05Technology

The technology we use

All our technology

06Who does it

The people you’ll see

07Cost and insurance

What it costs

$150–$300 per filling

Typical range in the US without insurance (2026 consumer cost guides). Your own estimate comes after the exam, in writing, before anything is done.

The cost depends on how many surfaces of the tooth need repair and where the tooth is. A large cavity may need a crown instead — we explain why if so.

Dental insurance: Many PPO plans cover part of this treatment. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before anything is done.
Monthly payments: Third-party financing such as CareCredit lets you spread the cost, if you’d like.
No insurance?: Ask about our membership plan: checkups, cleanings and X-rays for a yearly fee, plus a discount on treatment.

How cost and insurance work

08Questions

Questions patients ask

All questions

Most single fillings take 30 to 60 minutes.

Composite fillings set right away. If you were numbed, wait until the feeling comes back so you don’t bite your cheek.

Some sensitivity to cold for a few days is common. If it lasts or your bite feels high, call us.

Appointments

Request a visit about a tooth

Request an exam or a consultation. We’ll look at the tooth and explain your options.

Request an appointment (512) 555-0142

Restorative dentistry

Related treatments

All treatments

Fillings