Restorative
Dental Fillings
Durable, tooth-colored fillings that repair cavities without a metallic smile.
When a cavity is caught early, a filling is often the simplest and most conservative way to stop decay in its tracks. We use tooth-colored composite material that blends with your natural enamel — no dark metal fillings.
Most fillings are completed in a single, comfortable visit.
When you need a filling
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay so the cavity can't keep growing. Some cavities cause a visible hole, food trapping, or sensitivity to sweets or temperature, but many cause no symptoms at all, which is why exams and X-rays matter. Catching a cavity early usually means a smaller, simpler repair.
Tooth-colored fillings
We use tooth-colored composite resin, which is bonded to the tooth and shaded to match the surrounding enamel. Because it bonds, we can often remove less healthy tooth structure than older metal fillings required, and the repair is much harder to spot in a smile.
What happens at your visit
We numb the area so you're comfortable, remove the decayed portion of the tooth, and place the composite in layers, hardening each layer with a curing light. We then shape and polish the filling and check your bite. Most fillings are completed in a single visit. Avoid chewing until the numbness wears off so you don't bite your cheek or tongue.
Filling, crown, or root canal?
Which treatment you need depends on how far the decay has spread. A small cavity calls for a filling. A large one may need a crown to protect the tooth. If decay reaches the nerve, a root canal may be needed. The earlier it's treated, the simpler the fix.
Replacing an old filling
Fillings don't last forever. Over time they can wear, chip, or leak at the edges, letting decay start underneath. If a filling looks worn, feels rough, or a tooth is sensitive around it, have it checked. Whether to replace it depends on its condition, not just its age.
Fillings in Altamonte Springs
We welcome patients from Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Winter Park, Maitland, and Casselberry. Call (407) 774-4433 if you think you have a cavity, or request a free consultation.
Benefits
Why patients choose this
- Blends naturally with your existing teeth
- Stops decay before it spreads or requires a crown
- Typically completed in one visit
- Preserves as much healthy tooth structure as possible
Is This Right For You?
Signs to look for
- A cavity found during your exam
- New sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets
- A visible dark spot or small hole in a tooth
- A rough edge you can feel with your tongue
What to Expect
Your visit, step by step
Numbing the area for your comfort
Removing decayed tooth structure
Placing and shaping the tooth-colored filling
Checking your bite and polishing for a smooth finish
Questions
Common questions about dental fillings
Yes — we custom shade-match composite fillings to your natural tooth color so they blend in seamlessly.
With good oral hygiene, composite fillings commonly last 7–10 years or more, though this varies by location and wear.
We numb the area first, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. You may feel pressure, and the numbness wears off within a few hours.
Wait until the numbness wears off before eating so you don't bite your cheek or tongue. We'll give you specific instructions for your visit.
Mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure for a few days is fairly common and usually settles. If it lasts, gets worse, or your bite feels high, call us and we'll adjust it.
Many cavities start between teeth or under the surface. We find them with a careful exam and X-rays, and we show you what we see on the screen.
Whether an old filling should be replaced depends on its condition. If it's cracked, leaking, or decayed underneath, we'll talk through replacing it. If it's sound, we'll tell you it can stay.