Home / Dental Services / General & Family Dentistry / Dental Fillings

RESTORE YOUR TEETH WITH CONFIDENCE

Dental Fillings in Toms River, NJ

Cavities and Chipped Teeth

Sun Dental repairs decay and chipped teeth with tooth-colored composite, amalgam and glass ionomer. Most cavity fillings in Toms River, New Jersey take one visit.

American Dental Association

ADA Member Dentists

Jersey's Choice Top Dentist

for 11 years including 2025

3 Dental Hygienists

Care for healthy smiles

Flexible Appointments

PPO plans & insurance accepted

A welcoming dental home for your family

UNDERSTANDING DENTAL FILLINGS

What Is Dental Filling?

A dental filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay or a small break. Your dentist removes the decay, then fills the space. Most common options used are tooth-colored composite, amalgam or glass ionomer. The filling gives the shape of your tooth and stops the decay from spreading.

As a part of our General and Family Dentistry services, Sun Dental provides dental fillings at our Toms River office. Dr. Thomas R. Hada, Dr. Robert McTaggart, and Dr. Leonard E. Giles offer all types of dental filling options, selected based on the location and extent of the repair, the tooth involved, and individual patient factors such as material allergies.

Signs You Need a Filling

Small cavities often cause no pain. Your dentist finds most of them during a routine exam. An untreated cavity grows toward the pulp. A small filling today costs less and saves more teeth than a crown or root canal later. Call us if you notice:

A sharp twinge from hot or cold drinks
Pain when you bite down
A pit or dark scar on a tooth
Food catching in the same spot between teeth
A rough or broken edge on a tooth or an old filling

Types of Fillings Available

Comparing composite vs amalgam fillings? Composite matches your tooth color. Amalgam holds up best under heavy chewing. Glass ionomer releases fluoride.

Composite (Tooth Colored) Fillings

Composite fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings, are made from a resin mixture shaded to match your natural teeth. The material bonds directly to enamel and dentin, which can help preserve healthy tooth structure. Composite is often used on front teeth and other visible areas where appearance matters, though it may wear faster than amalgam under heavy chewing pressure.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings are made from an alloy of different metals. Because amalgam is not tooth-colored, it is typically placed in back teeth, where the metallic appearance is less visible. The material holds up well under heavy chewing pressure and has a long clinical track record. Amalgam fillings can last many years, particularly in posterior teeth that handle strong bite forces.

Glass Ionomer

Glass ionomer fillings are made from fluoride-releasing glass powder mixed with polyacrylic acid. The material bonds chemically to tooth structure and tolerates some moisture, which makes it useful for certain cavities near the gumline. Glass ionomer also releases fluoride over time, which may help protect against new decay. Dentists often use it for baby teeth and smaller repairs.

Material	Color	Recommendation	Strength	Releases Fluoride
Composite (Tooth-Colored)	Matches your natural tooth	Front teeth, small to medium back-tooth cavities	Good	No
Amalgam	Silver	Large back-tooth cavities under heavy chewing	Highest	No
Glass Ionomer	Tooth-colored, less lifelike	Baby teeth, cavities at or below the gumline, temporary fillings	Lowest	Yes

How is Tooth Decay Diagnosed?

Your dentist checks each tooth with a mirror and probe. Digital X-rays are helpful to see between teeth and under old fillings. Early decay on the enamel surface sometimes heals with fluoride and better brushing. You need a filling if decay breaks through the enamel.

How Does a Dental Filling Procedure Work?

Numb the tooth when needed

Your dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic.
Remove decay or damaged tooth structure

Your dentist removes the affected area and prepares the tooth for the filling.
Place the filling material

Your dentist places the filling. Composite goes in thin layers bonded to the tooth. Amalgam and glass ionomer go in as a soft paste and set in place.
Shape and harden the restoration

The dentist hardens composite with a blue curing light, then shapes and polishes the filling.
Check your bite

Your dentist checks how your teeth come together and makes adjustments if the filling feels high or uneven.

Most single fillings take 30 to 60 minutes. Dentists often treat several teeth on the same side of your mouth in one visit. You can ask for oral or IV sedation if dental work makes you nervous.

What to Expect After a Filling

Numbness lasts 1 to 3 hours. Wait until the feeling returns before you eat, so you do not bite your lip or tongue. Composite and glass ionomer set hard before you leave. Do not take hard food items with a new amalgam filling.

Mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure can happen after a filling, and the gum around the treated tooth may feel a little sore. This should improve as the tooth settles within 1-3 days.

Contact Sun Dental if the tooth feels too high when you bite, sensitivity is severe or does not improve, the filling feels loose or breaks, or you develop swelling or significant pain. A bite adjustment or another evaluation may be needed.

How Long Do Fillings Last?

On average, amalgam fillings last 10 to 15 years, composite fillings 5 to 10 years and glass ionomer about 5 years. Grinding, large fillings and new decay shorten those numbers. A night guard can protect your fillings if you grind at night.

Amalgam fillings often have a long track record in back teeth subject to heavy chewing force. Composite fillings can wear or need replacement somewhat sooner in high-pressure areas. Glass ionomer is typically used where a shorter service life is expected or acceptable, such as baby teeth or as an interim restoration. Regular exams include checking existing fillings for wear, cracking, or leakage.

When a Tooth Filling Isn't Enough

If decay or damage is too extensive for a filling to safely support, a dental crown may be recommended to fully cover and reinforce the tooth. If decay has reached the tooth’s inner pulp and caused inflammation or infection, root canal treatment is needed before any filling or crown can be placed. Your dentist determines which applies based on the exam and imaging.

Replacing Old or Damaged Fillings

A filling does not need to be replaced simply because it is old. Your dentist may recommend replacement when a filling is cracked, loose, badly worn, no longer sealing the tooth well, or when new decay develops around it.

For existing amalgam fillings that are in good condition, the FDA does not recommend removal solely because they contain mercury. Removing a sound filling can require the removal of additional healthy tooth structure, so replacement should be based on the condition of the tooth and restoration.

In 2020, the FDA advised some groups to avoid new amalgam fillings when a good alternative exists. This applies to pregnant or nursing women, women planning a pregnancy, children under 6, and people with kidney problems or certain neurological conditions. The FDA does not advise these groups to remove sound amalgam fillings.

Dental Filling Cost and Insurance

The cost of a dental filling depends on factors such as the filling material, the size and location of the repair, and your dental insurance benefits. Sun Dental accepts insurance assignments and explains fees before treatment begins.

if you have questions about your insurance benefits or the expected cost of treatment.

How to Help Prevent New Cavities After a Tooth Filling

A filling repairs existing damage, but ongoing preventive care helps reduce the risk of new cavities. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and keep up with dental exams and professional cleanings based on the schedule your dentist recommends. . Dental sealants can also reduce the risk of new cavities on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

Have a Cavity or Chipped Tooth?

Ready to Restore Your Smile?

Have a cavity or chipped tooth? Schedule a visit with Sun Dental to explore your filling options and receive personalized care.

Related Services

Dental Insights

PATIENT'S COMMON QUERIES

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask about Dental Fillings.

Does getting a filling hurt?

No. Your dentist numbs the tooth first. You feel pressure and vibration, not sharp pain. For anxious patients, Sun Dental offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation.

When can I eat after a filling?

Once the numbness wears off, usually in 1 to 3 hours. Composite and glass ionomer fillings set hard before you leave. With a new amalgam filling, chew on the other side for 24 hours.

Can I get more than one filling in one visit?

Yes, in most cases. Your dentist often treats several teeth on the same side of your mouth in one visit, with one round of numbing.

Can I get a cavity under a filling?

Yes. Decay forms at the edges of an old filling when bacteria get into small gaps. Your dentist checks every filling at your routine exams and uses X-rays to find decay underneath.

Is sensitivity normal after a filling?

Mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure can happen after a filling and often improves with time. Contact your dentist if sensitivity is severe, gets worse, or does not improve.

When is a crown needed instead of a filling?

A crown may be recommended when a tooth has more extensive damage or does not have enough healthy structure to support a direct filling.

Can an old filling be replaced?

Yes. A filling may need repair or replacement if it becomes cracked, worn, loose, or if decay develops around it. Fillings that are still in good condition do not need to be replaced simply because they are old.

Does dental insurance cover fillings?

Most PPO plans cover part of the cost. Coverage depends on your plan, the material and the tooth. Some plans pay for composite on back teeth at the lower amalgam rate. Call (732) 341-9111 and we check your benefits before treatment.

What happens if a cavity is too deep for a filling?

If decay reaches the pulp and causes inflammation or infection, a filling alone may not be enough. Root canal treatment or another restorative option may be recommended after your dentist evaluates the tooth.

Are amalgam fillings safe?

Yes, for most patients. The FDA considers amalgam safe for adults and children 6 and older. The FDA advises pregnant or nursing women, children under 6 and people with a mercury allergy or kidney problems to choose another material when possible.

Can an old amalgam filling be replaced with a composite filling?

In many cases, yes. Your dentist can evaluate the existing filling and tooth structure to determine if replacement with a different material is appropriate.

Find our office

We’re conveniently located in Toms River, NJ. We look forward to welcoming you to our office!

Need a Dental Filling in Toms River?

Whether you have a cavity or a chipped tooth, Sun Dental provides personalized dental filling treatments. Contact our office to schedule your visit.