Restorative Dentistry

Dental Fillings

IN EVERETT, WA

Tooth-colored composite that blends in and preserves healthy structure.

Modern fillings

We place tooth-colored composite rather than amalgam. Beyond appearance, composite bonds to the tooth, which means less sound structure has to be removed to hold the filling in place — a meaningful advantage over a lifetime of dentistry.

Composite is placed in layers and hardened with a curing light, then shaped to your bite and polished. Most fillings are completed comfortably in a single appointment.

If a cavity is very large, a filling may not be the right answer. Once too little tooth remains, an inlay, onlay or crown will protect the tooth better and last considerably longer — we will tell you when that line has been crossed.

Plenty of cavities produce no symptoms at all, particularly between the teeth where they are invisible without an X-ray. That is the argument for regular exams rather than waiting for pain: a small cavity treated early is a short appointment with anesthetic barely needed, while the same cavity left for two years may need a crown or root treatment.

Signs you may need a filling

  • Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold that lingers after the stimulus is gone.
  • A visible dark spot, a hole, or a rough edge you keep catching with your tongue.
  • Food packing into the same spot between two teeth every time you eat.
  • An old filling that has chipped, worn, or developed a dark line around its margin.

What to expect

Most fillings take under an hour.

  1. 1 Comfort first Local anesthetic where needed. Tell us if you have had trouble getting numb before — it changes our approach.
  2. 2 Remove and clean Decay is removed conservatively, keeping as much healthy tooth as possible.
  3. 3 Fill and finish Composite is layered, cured, shaped to your bite and polished smooth.

After a filling

Sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal, particularly with deeper fillings. If your bite feels high, or sensitivity worsens rather than settles after a week or two, call us — a small adjustment usually resolves it.

Common questions about dental fillings

Does getting a filling hurt?
Rarely. The area is numbed first and most patients feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Very small cavities can sometimes be treated without anesthetic at all — we will discuss it rather than assume.
How long does a filling take?
Most are completed in a single visit of 20 to 60 minutes depending on size and location. Several small fillings in the same quadrant can usually be done in one appointment under one anesthetic.
How long do composite fillings last?
Commonly five to ten years and often longer, depending on size, position and your bite. Large fillings on back teeth take the most force and fail soonest — which is when an inlay, onlay or crown becomes the better answer.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Cold sensitivity for a few days is normal, particularly after a deeper filling, and it settles. What is not normal is sensitivity that worsens after a week, pain on biting, or a bite that feels high — call us, because a high filling is a two-minute adjustment.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not on appearance alone. A sound amalgam filling that is sealed and doing its job is best left in place — replacing it means removing more tooth. We replace them when they fracture, leak, or have decay beneath them.

Questions about dental fillings?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

Madison Street Dental Clinic serves Everett and the surrounding communities of Marysville, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood and Bothell.

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