General dentistry
Tooth-coloured fillings
A filling repairs a tooth with a cavity. We remove the soft, decayed part and rebuild the tooth with tooth-coloured material. Most take under an hour.
- Time in the chair
- 30–60 minutes
- Visits
- One
- Numbing
- Yes, local
- Typical cost
- $100–$450 per tooth
What it is
A cavity is a small area where decay has softened the tooth. It won’t heal on its own, and it grows. A filling stops it: the decayed part is removed and the space is filled with composite, a tooth-coloured resin that bonds to the tooth and is hardened with a blue light.
Small cavities often don’t hurt at all. That is why we find many of them on checkup X-rays before you have noticed anything, and why they are easy to fix at that stage.
Who does this here
Dr. Renata Alcott
Dr. Marcus Tellez
Dr. Meera SethiWhat to expect, step by step
Numbing
We dry the gum and put numbing gel on it first, so the injection itself is a small pinch rather than a sting. Then we wait a few minutes and check the tooth is properly numb. If you still feel anything, tell us and we add more.
Keeping the tooth dry
Cotton rolls or a small rubber sheet keep the tooth dry. Many patients like the sheet: the water stays out of the back of your throat.
Removing the decay
We use the drill (yes, that sound) and small hand instruments. You will feel vibration and pressure, not pain. Headphones are in every room if the sound bothers you.
Rebuilding the tooth
The composite goes in thin layers, each hardened with a blue light for a few seconds, and is shaped to match the tooth.
Checking your bite
You bite on thin coloured paper so we can make sure the filling doesn’t feel high. Then a final polish.
How long it takes
Most fillings take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and how many teeth we are treating.
Your lip and tongue stay numb for two to three hours, so wait to eat until feeling returns and you won’t bite your cheek. You can chew on the filling once the numbness wears off. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal.
What it costs
$100–$450
Typical U.S. range, per tooth, before insurance
Most patients pay somewhere in this range. Your exact cost depends on the size of the filling (how many surfaces of the tooth it covers) and which tooth it is.
Most PPO plans cover fillings at around 80% after your deductible.
This is a guide, not our fee and not a quote. After your exam you get a written estimate, and we check your insurance, before anything starts. Call (602) 555-0148 for a quote. Where these ranges come from.
Questions patients ask
Does getting a filling hurt?
With the tooth properly numb, no. Most people say the injection is the worst part, and the numbing gel takes most of the sting out of that.
Can I go back to work afterward?
Yes. The only limit is the numbness: you may talk a little lopsided for an hour or two.
How to book
Use our request form and we’ll call you back within one business day to pick a time, or call us now on (602) 555-0148. Tell us it’s for fillings and we’ll book the right length of visit.