Dental fillings
in Miami
A filling repairs a cavity so the tooth can work again. Most take one visit, and you leave knowing what was done.
- Numbed before we start
- English & Español
Mon–Fri 8–6 · Sat 8–2
Mon–Fri 8–6 · Sat 8–2
Fillings at a glance
- Visit length
- 30–60 min
- for one or two teeth
- Visits
- 1 visit
- a very large cavity can need a crown instead
- Does it hurt?
- Little to none
- The tooth is numbed. Your cheek stays numb for a few hours.
- Insurance
- Usually covered
- Often partly. Tooth-colored fillings on back teeth vary by plan.
When do you need a filling?
A cavity is a hole that decay (bacteria and acid) has eaten into a tooth. Small ones often do not hurt, so a checkup is where most are found.
A tooth that throbs or wakes you at night should be seen soon. Call us and we will find a time.
- Your dentist found a cavityOn an exam or X-ray, often before you feel anything.
- A tooth hurts when you biteOr when something sweet touches it.
- Cold or hot drinks stingA sharp zing that fades after a few seconds.
- You can feel a hole or rough spotOr food keeps packing into the same place.
- An old filling chipped or came outOr has a dark edge around it.
A filling in four steps
Most fillings are done in one visit of 30 to 60 minutes. Times are general ranges and depend on the tooth.
1. Numbing5–10 minutes
We numb the area, wait until it works and check before we start. If you still feel anything, we add more.
2. Removing the decay10–20 minutes
The dentist cleans out the decayed part of the tooth with a small drill. You may feel pressure and hear a buzz.
3. Placing the filling10–20 minutes
The material goes in. A tooth-colored filling is set in layers with a blue light, one layer at a time.
4. Checking your bite5 minutes
We shape and polish the filling, then ask you to bite down. It should feel like your own tooth.
1. Step 1 of 4
Numbing
5–10 minutes
We numb the area, wait until it works and check before we start. If you still feel anything, we add more.
2. Step 2 of 4
Removing the decay
10–20 minutes
The dentist cleans out the decayed part of the tooth with a small drill. You may feel pressure and hear a buzz.
3. Step 3 of 4
Placing the filling
10–20 minutes
The material goes in. A tooth-colored filling is set in layers with a blue light, one layer at a time.
4. Step 4 of 4
Checking your bite
5 minutes
We shape and polish the filling, then ask you to bite down. It should feel like your own tooth.
Tooth-colored or silver?
Both repair a cavity well. They differ in looks, price and how they are placed. Most patients choose tooth-colored for teeth that show.
| Feature | Tooth-colored composite resin | Silver amalgam |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Matches the tooth | Silver-gray, visible when you smile wide |
| Made of | Resin and glass particles, set with a blue light | A blend of metals, including a little mercury, packed in |
| Holds on by | Bonding to the tooth | Shape: the dentist cuts a space that locks it in |
| Tooth removed | Usually less | Usually a little more |
| Strength | Strong. Large fillings on back teeth can wear sooner. | Very strong for heavy chewing |
| Visit length | A bit longer, since it goes in layers | A bit shorter |
| Example price | Higher | Lower |
| Typical life | Many years, often 7 to 12 or more | Many years, often 10 to 15 or more |
Amalgam has been used for over a century, and major dental groups consider it safe for most people. Some prefer to avoid it, and that is a fine reason to choose composite.
When a cavity is large, your dentist may suggest a crown instead. It covers and protects the whole tooth.
What a visit is like
You will know what is happening before it happens. Raise a hand and we pause.
- You pick the timeBook online or call. Many people come at lunch or on a Saturday.
- We look and explainWe show you the cavity on the X-ray and the options for the filling.
- We check you’re numbWe test it before we start and ask how you feel as we go.
- You leave with the detailsWhat we used, how to care for it, and when to come back.
After your filling
While you’re numb
Skip hot drinks and chewing until the feeling returns, usually in 2 to 4 hours. It is easy to bite your cheek.
The first days
Some sensitivity to cold or biting is common and usually fades in a few days to a couple of weeks.
Every day
Brush and floss as usual, especially around the edge of the filling, where new decay can start.
Call us if
The bite feels high, the pain gets worse, or sensitivity lasts more than two weeks.
What a filling costs, in writing
Price depends on the size of the cavity and the material. Here is an example for one tooth-colored filling.
What changes the price
- How big the cavity is, and how many surfaces it covers
- Tooth-colored or silver material
- Front tooth or back tooth
- How many fillings you need in one visit
Insurance
Most plans pay part of a filling. Some pay less for tooth-colored fillings on back teeth. We check your benefits and tell you what you are likely to owe first.
Paying over time
If you need several fillings, we can plan them across visits, and financing is available through a third-party lender.
Example estimate
Example prices
One tooth-colored filling
- Exam and X-ray (if due)
- $60–$150
- Small filling (one surface)
- $150–$250
- Medium filling (two surfaces)
- $200–$350
- Large filling (three or more)
- $250–$450
- Example for one filling
- $150–$450
Silver (amalgam) fillings usually cost a little less. These are example ranges for a fictional practice. Your dentist gives you the real price in writing before anything starts.
Your filling dentist
Dr. Marisol Arenas
Founder · General & cosmetic dentist
Dr. Arenas matches the filling to your tooth’s color and checks your bite before you leave. She shows you the cavity on the X-ray first.
“I explain everything twice: once before we start, and once while we work.”
- Focus
- Family checkups, veneers and whitening
- Languages
- English · Spanish
DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) · General practice residency
What patients say
All reviews- Example review
“Two small fillings in one visit. The assistant asked how I was doing every few minutes. Parking was easy, too.”
Ashley W.Fillings - Example review
“They showed me the cavity on the X-ray before starting, and the tooth-colored filling matches my other teeth. I can’t tell which one it is.”
Beatriz N.Fillings
Questions about fillings
The ones we hear most. Ask us anything else at your visit.
How much do dental fillings cost in Miami?
The example estimate above shows ranges by size. The real price depends on the cavity, the tooth and the material, so we give it to you in writing before we start.
Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth is numbed first, so most patients feel pressure and vibration but not pain. The numbness wears off after a few hours, and some sensitivity for a few days is normal.
Tooth-colored or silver filling: which is better?
Both work. Tooth-colored fillings blend in and bond to the tooth. Silver ones are very strong and often cost less. The comparison above lists the details. Your dentist will recommend one for your tooth.
How long do fillings last?
Most fillings last many years, often 10 or more. It depends on the size, the material, your bite and how well the tooth is cleaned. Checkups let us spot wear early.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
A very early spot of weak enamel can sometimes be reversed with fluoride and better brushing. Once there is a hole, it needs a filling. Decay does not stop on its own.
When is a crown better than a filling?
When the cavity is so large that not much healthy tooth is left to hold a filling. A crown covers the whole tooth and protects it. Your dentist will explain which one fits.
Book your filling
A clear look at your tooth, a plan with prices, and a numb, comfortable visit. English or Spanish, Saturdays included.
