What is a composite filling?
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin bonded directly into a cavity to restore the natural shape, strength, and appearance of your tooth. Unlike old silver amalgam fillings, composite chemically bonds to your tooth — which means less drilling, more conservation of healthy tooth structure, and a result that disappears into your smile.
When you need a filling
Most cavities don't hurt until they're advanced. By the time you feel sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet, decay has usually reached the dentin layer and is growing fast. Other signs include:
- Visible dark spots or pits on a tooth
- Floss catching or tearing in one spot
- Rough or chipped tooth edge
- Food getting stuck in the same place every meal
- Old silver fillings that are cracked or leaking
Dr. Luba checks every tooth at every cleaning with a bright light and an intraoral camera. Small cavities caught early are a 20-minute, $150 fix. Wait until they hurt and you might be looking at a $1500 crown or a root canal.
What to expect
- Numbing (2 min) — a tiny drop of anesthetic on the gum, then a painless injection. You'll feel pressure but no pain.
- Decay removal (5–10 min) — the soft, decayed part of the tooth is removed with a quiet electric handpiece.
- Bonding & shaping (10 min) — the tooth is etched, primed, and the composite resin is layered in and cured with a blue light.
- Polish & bite check (5 min) — the filling is shaped to your natural bite and polished smooth. You'll feel like there's nothing there.
Total time: about 30 minutes per filling. Most patients need just one filling at a time, but Dr. Luba can often do two or three in one visit if they're close together.
Matches your tooth
Custom-shaded to blend invisibly with surrounding teeth.
Bonds, doesn't just fill
Micro-mechanical bond strengthens the tooth — less drilling, less chance of fracture.
Mercury-free
No metal, no mercury, no silver-gray smile when you laugh.
One visit
In and out in about 30 minutes per filling.
Cost & insurance
Most PPO plans cover composite fillings at 80–100%. Our cash fee is $165–$285 per filling depending on size — well below the Newark average of $250–$400. We verify your insurance before any work begins.
How long do composite fillings last?
With good home care and regular cleanings, modern composites last 7–12 years on average — comparable to amalgam. They may need replacement sooner if you grind your teeth or drink lots of acidic beverages. Dr. Luba checks every existing filling at every cleaning.