Overview
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin used to repair a cavity or minor tooth damage in a single visit, typically taking 20–40 minutes. It bonds directly to the tooth, preserves more natural structure than older metal fillings, and commonly lasts 5–10 years with good oral hygiene. Larger or more involved restorations take more chair time than a small, straightforward filling.
This is one of the most common outcomes of a routine dental examination — many patients arrive at this page directly from a checkup that found a cavity, not from searching with symptoms of their own.
These are assessed during your exam — your dentist will tell you which treatment actually fits what's happening in the tooth, rather than defaulting to a filling because that's what was searched for.
Most fillings take 20–40 minutes and are completed in a single visit.
| Composite (Tooth-Colored) | Amalgam (Silver) | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Matches natural tooth color | Visibly metallic/silver |
| Tooth prep | Less removal of healthy structure | More removal typically required |
| Bonding | Bonds directly to the tooth | Mechanically held, not bonded |
| Typical lifespan | 5–10 years | 10–15 years, sometimes longer |
| Best for | Visible teeth, small-to-moderate cavities | Back teeth under heavy bite force, larger cavities |
| Cost | Somewhat higher | Generally lower |
Composite is the more commonly chosen option today for teeth where appearance matters, since it blends in and preserves more natural tooth structure. Amalgam still has a place for large cavities in back teeth that take heavy chewing force, where its durability under pressure is an advantage — but its visibility and larger tooth-prep requirement make it a less common first choice for most patients now.
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin material used to repair a cavity or minor tooth damage — the resin is bonded directly to the tooth and shaped to match its natural form, so the repair blends in rather than showing as a visible patch the way older metal fillings did.
No — the area is fully numbed before any drilling begins, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure itself. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a day or two afterward is normal.
Typically 5–10 years with good oral hygiene, though this varies based on the filling's size and location and how well it's cared for.
Yes — for very small fillings placed without anesthesia, right away. If you were numbed, wait until the numbness fully wears off (usually a couple of hours) so you don't accidentally bite your cheek or tongue.
Typically 2–4 hours, depending on the anesthesia used and your own metabolism — sensation should return gradually rather than all at once.
It's uncommon with proper placement, but it can happen, especially with older fillings or ones under heavy bite force. If it does, contact the clinic rather than waiting — the exposed tooth is vulnerable to further decay in the meantime.
When it shows visible wear, a crack, a gap at the edge where it meets the tooth, or recurring sensitivity — your dentist checks for this at routine exams even if you haven't noticed anything yourself.
"Better" depends on the situation — composite blends in and preserves more natural tooth structure, while amalgam can outlast composite in back teeth under heavy chewing force. Most patients today choose composite for visible teeth; see the comparison above for the trade-offs.
If too much of the tooth is affected, a filling won't have enough healthy structure to bond to reliably — a crown is usually the better option at that point. This is assessed during your exam, not guessed at in advance.
