Dental Fillings
Natural. Metal-Free. Invisible.
Treat cavities fast with tooth-colored composite fillings that blend seamlessly with your smile — no metal, no mercury, no one will even know it's there.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Cavities are one of the most common dental concerns — but with modern materials and techniques, treating them is fast, comfortable and virtually invisible.
A dental filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay. After removing the cavity, the area is cleaned and filled to prevent further damage and fully restore the tooth's structure and strength.
At Osuna Dental Care in Albuquerque, we use tooth-colored composite resin fillings — a metal-free, mercury-free material that bonds directly to the tooth for a natural look and added structural support. Unlike old silver amalgam fillings, composite fillings blend seamlessly with your surrounding enamel. Nobody can tell it's there.
Whether you're treating a new cavity or replacing old metal fillings you've had for years, Dr. Kim and Dr. Graham deliver a seamless, comfortable result — typically in a single appointment of less than an hour.
Cavities left untreated don't stay small. What starts as a simple filling can become a root canal or a crown if the decay reaches deeper layers of the tooth. Early treatment is always the faster and more affordable option.
Filling Materials We Offer
Tap to explore each option and see how they compare.
- Blends naturally with your existing enamel
- Bonds directly to the tooth for added strength
- Preserves more natural tooth structure
- Mercury-free and biocompatible
- Ideal for both front and back teeth
- Safely remove old amalgam fillings
- Replace with natural-looking composite
- Eliminate the dark metallic appearance
- Improve both aesthetics and tooth strength
- All old filling material fully removed first
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Virtually Invisible
Composite resin is shade-matched to your natural tooth color before placement. Once it's in, even people looking closely won't see anything unusual.
Strong & Long-Lasting
Modern composite materials are tough enough for back teeth under heavy chewing pressure. With proper care they last 7 to 10 years or longer.
Preserves Natural Tooth
Because composite bonds directly to the tooth, we remove only the decayed material — less healthy tooth structure is sacrificed compared to amalgam placement.
No Metal or Mercury
Composite resin is completely metal-free and mercury-free — a biocompatible, safe choice for patients of all ages including those with metal sensitivities.
Quick, Comfortable Procedure
A single filling typically takes less than an hour from start to finish. One appointment, local anesthesia and you're done — back to your day the same afternoon.
Replaces Old Silver Fillings
If you have dark amalgam fillings you've been self-conscious about, we can safely remove them and replace them with natural-looking composite restorations.
Your Dental Filling Appointment — Step by Step
Here's exactly what happens from the moment you sit down to when you leave with a fully restored tooth.
Gentle Numbing
We apply a topical anesthetic before administering local anesthesia so the entire area is comfortable from the very start. You should feel pressure but no pain throughout the procedure.
⏱ ~5 minutesDecay Removal & Cleaning
All decayed material is carefully removed using precision handpieces. The area is then cleaned and prepared so the composite resin bonds directly and securely to healthy tooth structure.
⏱ ~10–15 minutesPrecise Resin Placement in Layers
The tooth-colored composite is placed in thin layers, each carefully sculpted to follow the natural contours of your tooth. Layering ensures a stronger bond and a more precise result.
⏱ ~10–20 minutesLight-Curing to Harden
A concentrated curing light is used to harden each layer of composite in seconds. This bonds the material firmly to your tooth structure for long-term durability.
⏱ ~5 minutesShaping, Bite Check & Polishing
The filling is shaped and adjusted so your bite feels completely natural. A final polish leaves the surface smooth and shiny — indistinguishable from the surrounding enamel.
⏱ ~5–10 minutesTotal time: under 1 hour for a single filling — from numbing to walking out the door. Multiple fillings in the same appointment may take a bit longer depending on size and location.
Do You Have a Cavity?
Cavities don't always announce themselves loudly — especially in the early stages. But your body gives you signals worth paying attention to. If any of these sound familiar, it's time to come in for an evaluation.
Don't wait. Cavities grow over time. A small filling today prevents a much bigger problem later — like a root canal or an emergency crown. Some cavities cause zero symptoms until they're serious — which is why regular checkups and cleanings matter.
Replace Old Silver Fillings
If you have old amalgam (silver) fillings, you're not stuck with them. We can safely remove them and replace them with tooth-colored composite — improving both the look and the longevity of the restoration.
All old filling material is fully removed before the composite is placed. The result is a cleaner, stronger and far more aesthetic restoration — often in a single visit.
Dental Fillings — Common Questions
A single composite dental filling at Osuna Dental Care typically takes less than one hour from numbing to polishing. Multiple fillings in the same appointment may take a bit longer depending on size and location, but we generally keep it efficient and comfortable throughout.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia so you won't feel pain during the treatment — just some pressure. Some mild sensitivity around the treated tooth for a day or two afterward is completely normal and resolves on its own. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, give us a call.
Composite resin fillings typically last 7 to 10 years or longer with proper brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups. Their lifespan depends on the size and location of the filling and your bite habits. Larger fillings in high-pressure areas (like molars) may wear more quickly than smaller ones on front teeth.
Modern composite resin is strong and durable — and because it bonds directly to the tooth structure, it actually helps reinforce the remaining tooth rather than just sitting inside it. While amalgam has traditionally been considered slightly more wear-resistant on very large back-tooth restorations, advances in composite technology have closed that gap significantly.
Yes, and it's one of the most common cosmetic improvements we make. We safely remove the old amalgam filling and replace it with a tooth-colored composite restoration — eliminating the dark metallic appearance while improving the strength and bond of the restoration. Most amalgam replacements are completed in a single visit.
Common signs include tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods; sharp pain when biting or chewing; visible dark spots or pits on the tooth surface; and food consistently getting stuck in the same spot. That said, some cavities cause zero symptoms in the early stages — which is why regular checkups matter. We can catch decay before it becomes a bigger problem.
Small Cavity Now —
Simple Fix Today.
Don't let a minor cavity turn into a root canal. We'll take care of it quickly, comfortably and invisibly.
📍 5900 Cubero Dr NE STE B, Albuquerque, NM 87109