Tooth-Colored Fillings

With proper care, composite fillings typically last 7–15 years, depending on the size and location of the filling, the forces it is subjected to, and how well you maintain your oral hygiene. Fillings on back molars experience greater chewing force and may need replacement sooner.

Regular professional hygiene visits allow us to detect wear or marginal breakdown early — when repair is simple — before underlying tooth structure is affected.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain while the filling is being placed.

Topical anesthetic is always applied first to reduce the sensation of the injection itself.

Some patients experience mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure for a few days after the filling — this is normal and typically resolves on its own within one to two weeks.

Most dental insurance plans cover tooth-colored composite fillings, often at the same benefit level as amalgam.

Fillings start from $250 at Champions for Oral Health, with the final cost depending on the size and number of surfaces involved.

For patients without coverage or with out-of-pocket costs, we offer flexible payment options. See our full pricing page for details.

Yes. Old amalgam fillings can be safely replaced with composite. At Champions for Oral Health, we follow the SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) protocol during removal — including rubber dam isolation, high-volume evacuation, and sectioning of the amalgam into chunks to minimise mercury vapour exposure.

This is particularly important for patients with wellness or biocompatibility concerns. The replacement filling is shade-matched for a completely natural result.

Yes. Modern composite resins are available in a comprehensive range of shades and translucencies that closely replicate natural enamel — including the slight greyish translucency of back molars.

A skilled clinician can shade-match composite to look entirely natural in any position in the mouth. Once polished, most patients cannot identify which teeth have been restored.

Both use the same composite resin material — the difference is the application. A composite filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay or fracture: the damaged portion is removed and replaced with composite.

Dental bonding (cosmetic bonding) applies composite to the outside of a healthy tooth to improve its shape, size, or colour — without removing tooth structure. Both procedures are completed in a single visit at Champions for Oral Health.