How long do composite fillings last?

With proper care, tooth-colored composite fillings typically last seven to ten years — and often longer, depending on the size and location of the filling and your oral hygiene habits. Back teeth that endure heavier chewing forces may see slightly shorter lifespans than fillings on front teeth. Dr. Querishi evaluates the condition of all existing restorations at every routine exam to ensure they remain fully intact and functional.

Do composite fillings hurt?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia so you should feel no pain during the filling. Some mild sensitivity to temperature in the days immediately following is completely normal as the tooth adjusts to the new restoration — this typically resolves within one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists beyond that, contact our Woodridge office and we'll evaluate the restoration.

How long does a composite filling appointment take?

Most composite filling appointments take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the number and size of cavities being treated. Single small fillings are often completed in under 30 minutes. Dr. Querishi works efficiently without ever rushing — ensuring every filling is placed with precision and care.

Can composite fillings be used to replace old silver amalgam fillings?

Yes — and many of our Woodridge patients choose to do exactly that. Old amalgam fillings that are cracking, leaking, or simply unwanted can be safely removed and replaced with tooth-colored composite restorations. Dr. Querishi will evaluate each existing filling at your exam to determine which are good candidates for replacement based on their current condition and size.

Are composite fillings safe?

Absolutely. Tooth-colored composite resin has been used safely and effectively in dentistry for decades and is endorsed by the American Dental Association. It contains no mercury and is considered fully biocompatible — meaning it is well-tolerated by the body without causing irritation to the surrounding tooth or gum tissue. Composite is safe for patients of all ages including children and pregnant patients.

What's the difference between a composite filling and a dental crown?

A composite filling restores a portion of a tooth — it's the appropriate treatment when enough healthy tooth structure remains to support the filling and maintain the tooth's structural integrity. A crown covers the entire tooth from the gumline up and is recommended when decay or damage is too extensive for a filling to reliably restore. Dr. Querishi will always recommend the most conservative treatment that provides adequate long-term protection for your tooth.

Does dental insurance cover composite fillings?

Most dental insurance plans cover composite fillings for front teeth in full. Coverage for composite fillings on back teeth varies — some plans cover them at the same rate as amalgam, while others may cover only the cost of an amalgam filling and leave the difference as a patient cost. Our team will verify your specific benefits before your appointment so you know exactly what to expect. Cherry financing and our Kleer Membership Plan are also available for patients who need additional flexibility.

Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings in Woodridge, IL

At Seven Bridges Dental Studio, Dr. Querishi uses only tooth-colored composite resin. No dark metal, no silver amalgam, just a seamless, natural-looking restoration that blends invisibly with your smile.

3D model of tooth-colored composite fillings blending naturally with teeth

Fillings That Fix the Problem Without Changing Your Smile

Cavities are one of the most common dental conditions in the world but treating them doesn't have to mean walking away with a mouth full of dark silver spots. At Seven Bridges Dental Studio, Dr. Fariha Querishi exclusively places tooth-colored composite resin fillings, a modern, highly effective alternative to traditional amalgam that repairs the damaged tooth while preserving the natural beauty of your smile.

The American Dental Association recommends treating decay as soon as it is detected before it spreads to neighboring tooth structures, reaches the nerve, or requires more extensive treatment like a crown or root canal. A composite filling placed early is one of the most straightforward, cost-effective, and minimally invasive treatments in dentistry and at Seven Bridges Dental Studio, it's performed with the same attention to detail and comfort we bring to every procedure.

Schedule Your Appointment

What is a Tooth-Colored Composite Filling?

A composite filling is a tooth-colored restoration made from a blend of plastic resin and fine glass particles, carefully shade-matched to the exact color of your natural tooth so it becomes virtually invisible once placed. Unlike traditional silver amalgam fillings, which are packed into the cavity and held in place primarily by mechanical retention, composite resin bonds directly and chemically to your tooth structure.

This direct bonding has several important advantages. It requires less removal of healthy tooth structure during preparation, meaning more of your natural tooth is preserved. It supports and reinforces the remaining tooth rather than just filling the space. And because composite can be precisely color-matched, it is completely indistinguishable from natural enamel even in highly visible areas of the smile.

At Seven Bridges Dental Studio, we use composite resin for all new fillings. For patients who wish to replace old dark amalgam fillings with a more natural-looking alternative, we also offer amalgam replacement.

Key advantages of composite fillings:

Shade-matched precisely to your natural tooth color
Bonds directly to tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy enamel
Supports and strengthens the remaining tooth
No dark metal margins or visible silver spots
Free of mercury, a concern some patients have with traditional amalgam
Can be used to repair chips, cracks, and small cosmetic imperfections as well as cavities
Repaired or adjusted easily if needed in the future

What to Expect During Your Composite Filling Appointment

1

Numbing & Comfort

Local anesthesia is applied to ensure the area is completely numb before any preparation begins. We use a topical anesthetic first, so you feel as little as possible — even the numbing itself. Most patients are genuinely surprised by how comfortable the entire experience is.

2

Removing the Decay

Dr. Querishi carefully removes all decayed tooth material using a dental handpiece and specialized instruments. Only the damaged portion of the tooth is removed — composite's bonding properties allow for a more conservative preparation that preserves as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

3

Preparing the Tooth Surface

The prepared cavity is gently etched with a mild conditioning agent and a bonding liquid is applied to the tooth surface. This creates the chemical bond between the composite resin and your natural tooth, the foundation of a strong, long-lasting restoration.

4

Placing & Shaping the Composite

The tooth-colored composite resin is placed into the cavity in thin layers, each carefully sculpted to restore the natural contours and anatomy of the tooth. Each layer is hardened with a curing light before the next is applied, building up the restoration with precision.

5

Polishing & Bite Check

Once the filling is fully placed and shaped, Dr. Querishi carefully checks your bite to ensure the restoration feels completely natural. Any minor adjustments are made, and the filling is polished to a smooth, natural-looking finish that blends seamlessly with your surrounding enamel.

Ready to Replace Your Old Silver Fillings?

Many patients come to Seven Bridges Dental Studio specifically to have their old dark amalgam fillings replaced with natural-looking composite restorations and the results are consistently dramatic. Whether your existing fillings are showing their age, cracking, leaking around the margins, or you simply want a cleaner, more natural-looking smile, Dr. Querishi can safely remove your amalgam fillings and replace them with precisely shade-matched composite restorations.

The procedure follows the same comfortable process as a new filling, with the added satisfaction of watching those dark spots disappear from your smile entirely. Many patients are amazed by how different their smile looks and feels after amalgam replacement and wish they had done it sooner.

If you're interested in replacing your silver fillings, Dr. Querishi will evaluate each one at your exam and let you know which are good candidates for replacement based on their current condition and size.

Treat Your Cavity Early and Keep Your Smile Looking Its Best

Cavities don't improve with time — but they are completely treatable when caught early. Whether you're due for an exam, have a tooth that's been bothering you, or want to replace old silver fillings with something that looks and feels more natural, Dr. Querishi and the Seven Bridges team are here and welcoming new patients.

Book Your Appointment

Serving patients in Woodridge, Darien, Lisle, Bolingbrook & surrounding communities

Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!

Book Online

(630) 796-0769