When decay or injury removes healthy tooth structure, a carefully placed filling restores the tooth’s shape, strength, and chewing ability. Fillings are designed to replace lost material while protecting the remaining tooth and preserving long-term function.
Dental caries remains a common health issue across age groups, so restorative treatments like fillings are among the most frequently performed procedures in general dentistry. Although the steps involved are routine for clinicians, each restoration is tailored to the patient’s anatomy, needs, and aesthetic goals.
At the office of Mercer Island Dental Associates, we focus on precise, minimally invasive techniques and up-to-date materials to deliver restorations that look natural and perform reliably. Our team discusses the options that best suit your situation so you can make an informed decision about your care.
Attempts to repair damaged teeth date back thousands of years, but modern restorative dentistry has advanced rapidly in the past century. Materials and techniques have moved from purely functional solutions toward options that balance strength, longevity, and appearance.
While older metal restorations provided durability, contemporary materials give clinicians the ability to conserve more tooth structure and achieve a seamless match with surrounding enamel. These developments have expanded what’s possible for both posterior and front-tooth restorations.
Today’s approach emphasizes preserving healthy tissue, sealing the tooth against further decay, and choosing materials that fit the patient’s lifestyle and cosmetic preferences. The result is restorations that support oral health without drawing attention to themselves.
There is no one-size-fits-all filling material. Different substances offer various combinations of appearance, strength, and suitability for particular tooth locations and cavity sizes. Your dentist will consider the location of the cavity, the extent of the damage, bite forces, and aesthetic preferences when recommending a material.
Advances in adhesive dentistry have made it possible to bond restorations directly to the tooth, often allowing for more conservative preparation and a better seal against bacteria. These adhesive techniques can also help strengthen the remaining tooth structure.
Choosing a material means balancing factors such as durability, color match, and the expected wear pattern within the mouth. The next section outlines commonly used restorative materials and what patients can expect from each.
Composite resins are versatile, blendable materials that mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth. They are widely used for visible areas as well as posterior teeth when a strong cosmetic match is desirable. Composites bond to enamel and dentin, which can help preserve more of the natural tooth during preparation.
Because composite is placed in layers and shaped before it is cured, the dentist can create a precise anatomical restoration. Composites can be prone to gradual staining or wear over many years, but with proper hygiene and regular monitoring, they provide very satisfactory results for most patients.
Amalgam has a long history of reliable service in back teeth where chewing forces are greatest. It is known for strength and wear resistance. While it does not match the tooth’s color, amalgam can be a durable option for certain posterior restorations.
Amalgam requires a slightly different preparation technique than adhesive tooth-colored materials and can perform well over many years in appropriate clinical situations.
Glass ionomers bond chemically to tooth structure and gradually release fluoride, which can help protect the treated tooth from recurrent decay. They are commonly used for small cavities, areas near the gumline, and primary teeth.
Because glass ionomers are less wear-resistant than other options, they are often selected for situations where fluoride release or a gentle, quick restoration is the priority rather than long-term heavy-duty durability.
Ceramic restorations are fabricated outside the mouth and then bonded into place, offering exceptional color stability and resistance to staining. Inlays and onlays are ideal when a cavity is too large for a direct filling but a full crown is not necessary.
These indirect restorations combine the cosmetic benefits of a tooth-colored material with excellent wear characteristics, making them a strong option for restoring larger defects in visible or functional areas.
Gold remains a premium restorative material valued for its longevity, biocompatibility, and gentle wear characteristics against opposing teeth. It is highly durable and resists corrosion, though it is less commonly chosen today because of its metallic appearance.
When indicated by bite dynamics or patient preference, gold inlays or onlays can provide an outstanding long-term solution for posterior restorations.
When decay is detected, the first step is a careful assessment to determine the size and depth of the lesion and whether a direct filling is appropriate. This evaluation may include visual inspection, radiographs, and discussion about any symptoms you may have experienced.
Treatment begins with removing soft, infected tooth material and shaping the cavity to retain the restoration predictably. Local anesthesia is commonly used to ensure comfort; the length and complexity of the appointment depend on the restoration’s size and location.
After preparation, the chosen material is placed and contoured to restore natural form. For direct restorations like composites and glass ionomers, placement occurs in a single visit. For indirect options such as ceramic inlays, impressions or digital scans are used to fabricate the restoration, and a second appointment is scheduled for final bonding.
Throughout the process, our office emphasizes gentle techniques and clear communication. If dental anxiety is a concern, we will discuss comfort options so the experience is as calm and positive as possible.
Once a filling is in place, there are a few normal sensations to expect. Teeth can feel a bit different right away, and mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure is common for a short period. These symptoms typically resolve within days to a few weeks as the tooth settles.
While the anesthetic is active, avoid chewing on the treated side to prevent accidental biting of soft tissues. If adjustments to the bite are needed after placement, the office can make precise refinements to restore comfortable function.
Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are essential to prolong the life of any restoration. Habits like avoiding excessively hard or sticky foods, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and maintaining routine professional care help reduce wear and the risk of recurrent decay.
In many cases a filling restores the tooth fully, but there are situations where more extensive treatment is required. Large cavities, cracks that extend into the root, or repeated breakdown of prior restorations may call for an indirect restoration like an onlay or full crown, or for endodontic treatment if the tooth’s nerve is affected.
Decisions about upgrading a restoration are based on protecting the remaining tooth and preventing future problems. The goal is to select the least invasive option that offers reliable function and long-term preservation of the tooth.
Your dentist will explain the reasoning if an alternative to a simple filling is recommended and will outline the steps involved so you understand the benefits and expected outcomes of each option.
Dental fillings remain a cornerstone of conservative dentistry: they stop decay, rebuild tooth form, and restore chewing ability while allowing you to keep your natural tooth wherever possible. Advances in materials and adhesive techniques make today’s restorations both durable and discreet.
If you have questions about a specific tooth or wonder which restorative option is best for your smile, our team is available to evaluate your needs and explain the choices in plain language. At our office, we prioritize thoughtful care and clear communication to help you make confident decisions about your oral health.
To learn more or to schedule an evaluation, please contact us for additional 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 Mercer Island Dental Associates, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
Dental fillings are restorative materials used to replace tooth structure lost to decay or injury and to restore proper form and function. They are recommended when a cavity or damaged area can be repaired without removing large amounts of healthy tooth structure. Fillings stop the progression of decay, restore chewing ability and help protect the remaining tooth from further damage.
The decision to place a filling follows a clinical assessment that may include visual inspection and radiographs to determine size and depth. If the damage is limited and the tooth’s structure is adequate, a direct filling is often the least invasive way to preserve the natural tooth. When decay or fracture extends beyond a simple cavity, the dentist will discuss alternative options that offer greater coverage and protection.
Common filling materials include composite resins, dental amalgam, glass ionomer cements, ceramics used for inlays/onlays, and gold for select restorations. Each material balances appearance, strength and longevity differently, so choice depends on the tooth’s location, the size of the defect and patient preferences. For example, composites offer a close color match for visible areas while amalgam and gold provide excellent durability for heavy chewing surfaces.
Glass ionomers bond chemically to tooth structure and release fluoride, which can help protect nearby tooth surfaces, but they wear more quickly than other options. Ceramic inlays and onlays are fabricated outside the mouth and provide superior color stability and wear resistance for larger defects. Your dentist will explain the trade-offs so you can select a material that meets your functional and cosmetic needs.
First, the dentist evaluates the tooth using a combination of visual examination and radiographs to determine the extent of decay or damage. Local anesthesia is typically administered to ensure patient comfort while the dentist removes decay and shapes the cavity to retain the restoration predictably. For adhesive materials, the tooth surface is treated and the restoration is placed in layers or bonded in place; for indirect options, impressions or digital scans are taken for laboratory fabrication and a second appointment is scheduled for placement.
After the material is applied and contoured, the dentist adjusts the bite and polishes the restoration to create a comfortable, natural feel. The length of the appointment varies based on the size and complexity of the restoration, but many direct fillings are completed in a single visit. Throughout the procedure, clinicians aim to preserve healthy tooth structure and achieve a reliable seal against bacteria.
Modern composite resins have improved significantly in strength and wear resistance and are suitable for many posterior restorations, though longevity depends on factors such as cavity size, bite forces and oral hygiene. Composite materials bond to the tooth and allow for more conservative preparations, which can preserve more natural tooth and potentially strengthen the remaining structure. In some high-load situations or very large defects, amalgam or indirect restorations may still offer greater long-term durability.
The expected lifespan of any filling varies with chewing habits, bruxism, and preventive care, so regular monitoring is important. Dentists will consider functional demands and aesthetic goals when recommending the best material for a specific tooth. Choosing an appropriate material and maintaining good oral hygiene are both key to maximizing restoration life.
Immediately after treatment, patients should avoid chewing on the treated side while anesthesia is wearing off and follow any specific instructions from the dentist about temporary bites or sensitivity. Good daily oral hygiene—brushing twice, flossing daily and reducing frequent exposure to sugary foods—helps prevent recurrent decay at the margins of a filling. Routine professional checkups and cleanings allow your dental team to monitor restorations for wear, staining or breakdown.
Avoiding very hard or sticky foods and using a soft-bristled toothbrush can reduce the risk of unnecessary stress on a new restoration. If you experience persistent discomfort, a high spot on the filling or new sensitivity beyond a few weeks, contact your dental provider so the restoration can be evaluated and adjusted if needed. Preventive habits combined with regular exams help extend the useful life of fillings.
Inlays, onlays and crowns are recommended when the extent of decay or fracture is too large for a direct filling to provide reliable long-term protection. These indirect restorations cover more of the tooth surface and are fabricated to precisely fit the prepared area, which can be advantageous for larger defects or teeth with weakened structure. When a simple filling would require removal of excessive healthy tooth tissue or would be prone to failure under heavy bite forces, an onlay or crown is often the more conservative long-term choice.
The decision also considers the tooth’s position, functional demands and whether the nerve has been affected. In many cases, choosing an indirect restoration preserves more of the natural tooth than repeated repairs with direct fillings. Your dentist will explain the clinical reasons for recommending an upgrade and outline the steps involved in each option.
Mild sensitivity to temperature, sweets or pressure is common for a few days to a few weeks following placement of a filling as the tooth and surrounding tissues settle. This sensitivity often diminishes as any inflammation resolves and the bonded materials integrate with the tooth. Persistent or severe sensitivity may indicate a high bite, microleakage, or that the decay was close to the nerve, and should be evaluated if it does not improve.
Adjustments to the bite or replacement of the restoration can usually address mechanical causes of ongoing sensitivity. In cases where the nerve is irritated and symptoms persist, additional treatments such as endodontic therapy may be necessary to relieve discomfort and preserve the tooth. Timely follow-up helps determine the cause and appropriate next steps.
Adhesive dentistry allows restorations to bond directly to enamel and dentin, which can improve the seal against bacteria and reduce the need for extensive mechanical retention. This bonding capability enables more conservative cavity preparations, preserving healthy tooth tissue and often resulting in a stronger remaining tooth. Adhesives also help distribute functional forces across the tooth-restoration interface, which can enhance longevity and reduce the risk of fracture.
Advances in bonding agents and placement protocols have expanded the clinical uses for tooth-colored materials and indirect restorations. When combined with appropriate material selection and meticulous technique, adhesive approaches contribute to restorations that look natural and perform reliably. Mercer Island Dental Associates employs contemporary adhesive methods to optimize both function and appearance when indicated.
Follow-up care for fillings includes routine dental exams and radiographs as recommended to monitor the restoration for wear, marginal breakdown, or recurrent decay. During these visits the dentist will assess the integrity of the filling, evaluate adjacent tooth structure and check your occlusion to ensure comfortable function. Identifying early signs of failure allows timely repair or replacement before larger problems develop.
Good oral hygiene and preventive visits help extend restoration life, and your dentist may recommend polishing, refinements or protective measures such as night guards for bruxism. If you notice changes like roughness, staining at the edges or new sensitivity between visits, report them promptly so the restoration can be evaluated. Regular maintenance supports both oral health and the longevity of dental work.
The practice emphasizes patient comfort through the use of topical agents and local anesthesia, clear communication about each step of treatment, and gentle operative techniques to reduce stress during procedures. Clinicians discuss comfort options and expected sensations before starting so patients know what to expect and can make informed decisions about their care. For patients with significant anxiety, additional measures such as sedation options or calming strategies may be offered to help create a more positive experience.
Creating a supportive environment and taking time to address concerns are key priorities during restorative visits, and clinicians will adapt their approach to meet individual needs. If you have a history of dental fear or specific comfort preferences, share these with the team so they can tailor your visit accordingly. Mercer Island Dental Associates strives to provide compassionate, patient-focused care to make restorative treatment as calm and effective as possible.
