Tooth-colored fillings in Johnstown, NY.

Composite filling fees vary by the size of the cavity and which tooth needs restoration, small one-surface fillings on a front tooth cost considerably less than large multi-surface fillings on a back molar. Before any filling beyond a tiny watched spot, the front desk gives you a written estimate showing the practice fee and the portion your insurance is expected to reimburse if you have a plan. The insurance and payment page explains how billing and CareCredit work. Or call (518) 842-3220 with your specific tooth and any insurance details for a plain-English estimate.

There is no honest single number. How long a filling lasts depends on several factors, so any figure would be an estimate rather than a promise: where the filling is in the mouth (back teeth wear faster than front), how large it is relative to the tooth, your bite forces and any grinding habits, and how clean the margin stays. Fillings on the chewing surfaces of back teeth take the most wear. Your hygienist watches every filling at routine cleanings and flags any that need attention before they fail.

Both materials are FDA-approved and considered safe for dental use. The differences are mostly practical, not health-related. Composite fillings bond directly to tooth structure, which means we can remove less healthy tooth during preparation and the filling reinforces what remains. Amalgam fillings sit mechanically in a cavity that has to be cut to a specific shape, often requiring removal of more tooth than composite would. Composite matches the natural tooth color and is what we use at Dunning for all new restorations. We replace existing amalgam fillings when they show signs of failure or recurrent decay around the edges, not just because they're amalgam. If you're concerned about your existing fillings, we'll review them honestly at your next visit.

Local anesthetic at typical filling doses keeps the tooth numb for a few hours after the appointment, depending on which tooth and how much was used. Lower molars often stay numb longer than upper teeth because the nerve block is more profound. The numbness fades gradually. Don't chew on the numb side until feeling returns; it's easy to bite your cheek or tongue without realizing. Hot drinks should also wait until feeling is back. If numbness lasts much longer than expected, call the office. It is unusual but worth checking. For very small fillings, numbing isn't always needed and we'll discuss that option before starting.

The most common cause is a filling that sits slightly high in your bite, and even a tiny difference feels large when you chew. This is the easiest dental fix there is: call the office, come in for a short visit, and we'll mark the bite with carbon paper, adjust the filling down to the correct height, and check that it feels right. The discomfort usually resolves within hours of the adjustment. If your bite feels right but the tooth aches or is sensitive to temperature for more than a week, that can mean the cavity was deeper than it appeared and the tooth needs more time to settle, or occasionally root canal therapy. Don't suffer with a high-feeling filling; the fix is quick.

Once the numbness wears off, yes, composite fillings are fully cured before you leave the chair, so there's no waiting period. While numb, avoid chewing on the treated side to prevent biting your cheek or tongue. For the first day or two, some patients have mild temperature sensitivity in the filled tooth; this typically resolves on its own. There's no special diet, no soft-foods-only period, and no need to baby the tooth. Routine brushing and flossing resume that same evening. If the area is tender to floss for a few days, that's normal, it usually settles within a week as the gum tissue heals from any minor contact during the procedure.

Common signs are a crack or chip, new sensitivity, a dark line at the edge, or a rough spot your tongue keeps finding. Some failing fillings cause no symptoms at all, which is why they are checked at routine exams.

Yes, as a courtesy. Dunning is fee-for-service and out of network, so you pay the practice at the visit and we submit the claim to most carriers for you. Your insurer applies your plan's rules and sends any reimbursement directly to you. Before treatment beyond a basic exam or cleaning, the front desk gives you a written estimate. It is a good-faith approximation; your insurer makes the final benefit determination. Medicaid and Fidelis are not accepted.