Why We Use Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings

There’s a reason silver amalgam fillings are disappearing from modern dentistry. Composite resin bonds directly to enamel, meaning we remove less healthy tooth structure to place the filling. It matches your existing tooth color, so even a filling on a front tooth disappears. And composite doesn’t expand and contract with temperature the way amalgam does, which prevents the micro-cracks in surrounding enamel that eventually cause old silver fillings to fail.

When Do You Need a Filling?

A filling is called for when a tooth has:

• A cavity (tooth decay) that has breached the enamel
• A crack or chip that doesn’t compromise the structural integrity of the whole tooth
• Wear from grinding or acid erosion that’s starting to expose sensitive dentin
• An old amalgam (silver) filling that’s failing, cracking the tooth around it, leaking at the margin, or creating a dark line visible when you smile

If the decay or damage extends deep enough that a composite can’t structurally support the tooth, we recommend a porcelain crown instead. At your exam we explain which option fits your specific tooth and why.

Types of Fillings We Use

Composite Resin (“White Fillings”)

Our default choice for nearly every filling. A tooth-colored mixture of plastic and glass particles, bonded to the tooth with a light-cured adhesive. Invisible when shade-matched well. Typical lifespan: 7–10 years for large fillings, often longer for smaller ones. Best for: nearly every filling situation, including front teeth, molars with moderate decay, and replacing failing amalgam fillings.

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Lab-fabricated porcelain restorations for larger cavities that fall between “too big for composite” and “too small for a crown.” An inlay fits inside the cusps; an onlay covers one or more cusps. Longer lifespan than composite (15+ years), harder than enamel, stain-resistant, and aesthetic. Requires two visits, prep visit and placement visit.

Glass Ionomer

A less common option used primarily in specific situations: below-the-gumline fillings, pediatric fillings where long-term strength is less critical, and fillings in patients with a high cavity rate who benefit from the fluoride glass ionomer releases. We use it when it fits the situation, but composite is our workhorse.

The Filling Procedure Step by Step

1. Diagnosis. We confirm the filling is needed via visual exam, digital X-ray, and (for harder-to-see areas) intraoral camera. You see what we see before we start.
2. Local anesthesia. A small amount of local anesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding gum. We test before starting, you shouldn’t feel sharpness or pressure during drilling.
3. Decay removal. Only the decayed tissue is removed. Modern dentistry preserves as much healthy tooth as possible, unlike the aggressive preparations required for amalgam.
4. Bonding and shaping. A bonding agent is applied, then composite resin is layered into the cavity and cured with a blue light. Each layer is shaped to match the contour of your natural tooth.
5. Bite check and polish. We check your bite to make sure the filling doesn’t sit high. Any adjustments are made, then the filling is polished smooth.

Total appointment time: 30 minutes for a small filling, 60 minutes for a larger one. You can eat normally as soon as the numbness wears off (usually 2–4 hours after).

Should I Replace My Old Silver (Amalgam) Fillings?

A common question, and the honest answer is: not necessarily, but sometimes yes. An old amalgam filling that’s intact, sealing well, and not cracking the surrounding tooth is fine to leave alone. The ADA considers amalgam safe. If it’s working, don’t fix it.

Replace amalgam fillings when:

• The filling is visibly cracked or leaking (new decay at the margin)
• The surrounding tooth has developed craze lines or fractures from decades of amalgam expansion and contraction
• The filling is in your smile zone and you want a tooth-colored alternative for aesthetic reasons
• Sensitivity around the filling suggests the seal has broken down

We use isolation techniques (rubber dam, high-volume suction) when removing amalgam to minimize any mercury vapor exposure during the procedure. The replacement composite is shade-matched to your natural tooth.

How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost in Boise?

A composite filling in Boise typically costs $150 to $300 depending on size, location, and number of surfaces being filled. A porcelain inlay or onlay runs $700 to $1,200. Insurance coverage varies, most plans cover composite fillings at 70–100% for preventive-level policies, with different coverage on molars vs front teeth depending on plan specifics. We verify your specific coverage before treatment.

Sensitivity After a Filling, What’s Normal

Mild sensitivity to cold for 1–3 days after a filling is common and expected, the tooth was recently worked on, the nerve is mildly inflamed, and it takes a few days to calm down. Over-the-counter ibuprofen handles most discomfort.

Call us if you experience:

• Sensitivity that worsens instead of improving after 5–7 days
• Sharp pain when biting down (often means the filling is sitting slightly high, a quick adjustment fixes it)
• Prolonged, lingering pain after cold or hot stimuli
• Any swelling or throbbing pain

Meet Your Boise Dentists

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings

Related General Dentistry Services

• Cleanings and exams, to catch decay before it needs filling
• Root canals, when decay has reached the pulp and a filling alone won’t save the tooth
• Porcelain crowns, for teeth with decay or damage too extensive for a filling
• General dentistry hub →