Restorative
Composite Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings that match your shade, placed in one visit.
A filling repairs a tooth where decay has broken through the enamel. We remove the softened part, clean the cavity, and rebuild the missing structure with composite resin — a tooth-colored material that bonds to what is left rather than being wedged into place like old silver fillings were.
Because composite bonds, we can be conservative. The preparation only needs to be as large as the decay, which means more of your own enamel stays in the tooth. That matters over a lifetime: every millimeter of natural tooth left is structure that does not need replacing later.
We match the shade against your neighboring teeth in daylight before we start. Done well, you should not be able to point to the filling afterwards.
Is this right for me?
- A cavity was found at your exam, or you can feel a hole or rough edge with your tongue.
- Food keeps packing into the same spot between two teeth.
- An old silver filling has a crack at the edge or the tooth around it is stained dark.
What to expect
Numbing, if you want it
Very small fillings sometimes do not need it. We will tell you honestly which kind yours is, and you decide.
Removing the decay
Only the softened tooth comes out. We check as we go rather than clearing a standard shape.
Bonding and shaping
The composite goes in layers, each set with a curing light, then it is shaped to match the tooth it belongs to.
Checking your bite
You bite on marking paper and we adjust until it feels like nothing. A filling that is even slightly high will ache for days.
Your comfort
Tell us before we start if numbing has not worked well for you in the past — it usually means the injection needs to go somewhere different, not that you need more of it. You can raise a hand at any point and we stop.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
How long will a composite filling last?
It depends on the size, where it is, and how hard you grind. Many last well over a decade. We check the edges at every exam and replace one when it starts to leak, not on a schedule.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not just because they are silver. If one is sound and sealed, replacing it means cutting away healthy tooth for no benefit. We replace them when there is a crack, a leak, or decay underneath — and we will show you which it is.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Cold sensitivity for a week or two is common, especially on a deeper filling — the nerve was irritated and is settling. If it is getting worse rather than better after two weeks, or it hurts when you bite, call us.
Can I eat right away?
The composite is fully hard before you leave, so yes. Wait until the numbness wears off though — it is very easy to bite your cheek without noticing.
What if the cavity is too big for a filling?
Then a filling would leave the remaining walls too thin and the tooth would eventually split. In that case we will talk about a crown instead, and we will show you the photo that made us say so.
What patients say
Always a great experience at Dr. Zamiri's office. I've gotten 2 crowns and a couple fillings along with my regular cleanings. They are always friendly, and always professional. Highly recommend.
Related services
Thinking about Composite Fillings?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.