At a glance
A filling repairs a tooth with a cavity or small chip. We remove the decay and rebuild the tooth with tooth-colored composite, which we bond to the tooth and shape to match your bite. Most fillings are done in one visit with local anesthetic. Fillings are part of our restorative dentistry care.
We place composite fillings only. Fillings are quoted in a written estimate before treatment, and Saturday appointments are available.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Usually 1 visit |
| Material | Tooth-colored composite only |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic to numb the area; you stay awake and comfortable |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | All PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need a filling?
Early cavities often cause no pain, which is why X-rays at regular checkups matter. When there are signs, they include:
- Sensitivity to sweets, cold or hot drinks in one spot
- A dark spot, hole or rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- Food catching between two teeth in the same place every time
- A small chip or a corner broken off a tooth
- An old filling that is cracked, leaking or has fallen out
A very early soft spot may be stopped with fluoride and better brushing; our guide on fixing an early cavity explains when that works.
What happens at your filling visit?
- We confirm the cavity with an exam and X-ray and show you what we see.
- The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic. Very small fillings sometimes do not need it.
- Decay is removed until only healthy tooth remains.
- The tooth is cleaned and treated so the composite bonds to it.
- Composite is placed in layers, each hardened with a blue curing light.
- We shape and polish the filling and check your bite so it feels even.
For a closer look at each step, read Tooth-colored dental fillings: what to expect.
Cost, insurance and financing
We do not publish a single filling price, because the cost depends on the size of the cavity and how many surfaces of the tooth are involved. A small filling on one surface costs less than a large one on a back tooth. We give you a written estimate before we start; see dental prices.
Most PPO plans and Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits help pay for this kind of treatment. We check your benefits before your visit and tell you what your plan is likely to cover, so the number you see is close to the number you pay. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Texas Medicaid/CHIP is accepted for children only, and we do children’s fillings here in our office. See our insurance page for details.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
Composite is fully hardened before you leave, so you can eat once the numbness wears off. Wait until then so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Some sensitivity to cold or biting for a few days is normal. If your bite feels high, call us for a quick adjustment.
See our filling aftercare instructions for more.
Fillings compared with other options
| Option | Best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Composite filling | Small to medium cavities and chips | Tooth-colored; usually one visit; written estimate |
| Crown | Large cavities, cracks, weak teeth | Covers the whole tooth; two visits; from $1,199 |
| Root canal | Decay that has reached the nerve | Saves the tooth; usually followed by a crown; from $899 |
| Watch and wait | Very early enamel spots | Fluoride and checkups; only if the enamel has not broken through |
What about old silver fillings?
Many adults have silver-colored fillings from years ago. If they are intact and not causing problems, they can usually stay. If one cracks, leaks or has decay around it, we replace it with tooth-colored composite. We place composite fillings only.
When to call us
Call us if a filling falls out, a tooth breaks, or you have sharp pain when biting or a toothache that lingers. These can mean the cavity is deeper than a filling can fix. We see dental emergencies the same day during office hours. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday, so treatment does not have to mean a day off work (Saturday dentist in Richmond).
- Published self-pay prices for common treatment and a written estimate for everything else, with insurance benefits checked before your visit.
- Tooth-colored composite fillings, usually finished in a single visit.
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Related guides
- How long do fillings last? Lifespan by material and signs to replace
- Tooth-colored dental fillings: what to expect
- How to fix an early cavity before it gets worse
- Is brushing teeth once a day enough to remove plaque?
Frequently asked questions
We use tooth-colored composite only. We do not place silver fillings, glass ionomer, or porcelain inlays.
It depends on the size of the filling, where it is in your mouth, and your habits such as grinding or snacking on sweets. Our guide on how long fillings last explains the signs one needs replacing.
Yes, composite is hardened before you leave. Wait until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
Yes. We treat children’s cavities here in our office, numbing the tooth with local anesthetic. If a child needs to be sedated for treatment, we refer you to a pediatric dentist.