Dental Fillings in Frisco TX — Everything You Should Know Before You Sit Down

Dental fillings are the most common restorative procedure in dentistry — and also one of the most misunderstood. Patients often delay getting fillings because they're not in pain, not realizing that waiting turns a 30-minute, $200 procedure into a much larger problem. Here's everything you need to know about modern fillings, the materials involved, and what to expect.

Composite vs Amalgam — The Filling Material Debate Settled

Frisco Dental Hub exclusively uses tooth-colored composite resin for new fillings. The aesthetic advantage is obvious, but there's also a clinical reason: composite bonds to the tooth, meaning we remove less healthy tooth structure to place it compared to the mechanical retention required for amalgam.

What the Filling Procedure Actually Feels Like

Most patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable a modern filling is:

1. Numbing (3–5 min): Topical anesthetic gel applied first, then a small injection of local anesthesia. The injection is the most uncomfortable part — typically a brief pinch. Most patients don't feel the actual filling procedure at all.
2. Decay removal (5–10 min): Dr. C removes the decayed portion of the tooth using a drill. You'll feel vibration and pressure but not pain. The drill sound is louder than the actual sensation.
3. Composite placement (10–15 min): The composite resin is applied in layers, each cured (hardened) with a blue UV light for 20–40 seconds. No heat, no discomfort.
4. Bite check and polish (5 min): Dr. C checks that the filling meets your bite correctly and polishes it smooth. If it feels high after the numbness wears off, call us — this is an easy adjustment.

After Your Filling — What's Normal

• Numbness for 1–3 hours — avoid hot drinks and be careful eating until feeling returns to avoid accidental cheek biting
• Mild sensitivity for 1–2 weeks — especially to cold; this is normal as the tooth adjusts. Use sensitive toothpaste if needed.
• Bite feels slightly off — call us if this persists more than a day; simple bite adjustment takes 5 minutes
• Sensitivity that gets worse — if sensitivity is increasing rather than decreasing after 2 weeks, call us. This may indicate the cavity was deeper than anticipated and a root canal is needed.