Tooth Colored · Mercury Free · Open 7 Days

Tooth-Colored Fillingsin Overland Park & Olathe

Natural looking, mercury free fillings that repair a tooth and blend right into your smile. Same week appointments at both locations, with our Overland Park office open seven days a week.

Natural Repairs

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

A tooth-colored filling is a repair that restores a tooth damaged by a cavity or a small crack. It is made from a composite resin that is bonded directly to the tooth and shaded to match your natural enamel, so the repair blends in and is virtually invisible.

Because the material bonds to the tooth, we can keep more of your natural structure than a metal filling requires, with no dark line and no silver flash when you smile.

Tooth-colored composite filling that blends naturally with the tooth, placed at Albert Dental in Overland Park, Kansas
Warning Signs

5 Signs You May Need a Dental Filling

Cavities often start quietly. These are the signs it may be time to have a tooth checked and filled.

1
Hot or Cold Sensitivity

A tooth that reacts to hot, cold, or sweet foods can signal decay reaching the sensitive layer.

2
A Hole or Dark Spot

Pits, holes, or brown and black staining on a tooth are often a cavity you can see.

3
Pain When Biting

Aching or a sharp twinge when you chew may mean decay has weakened the tooth.

4
A Rough or Snagging Edge

Floss that shreds or a rough spot your tongue keeps finding can be the edge of a cavity.

5
Food Getting Stuck

A tooth that traps food in the same spot every time can have a cavity forming.

Why Composite

The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Healthy natural-looking smile kept intact with tooth-colored fillings at Albert Dental in Olathe, Kansas

Tooth-colored fillings do more than repair a cavity. They protect the tooth while keeping your smile looking natural.

  • Shaded to match your teeth, so the repair is invisible
  • Mercury free and metal free
  • Bonds to the tooth and seals out new decay
  • Preserves more of your natural tooth than metal
  • No silver flash and no dark line at the gum
  • Usually placed in a single, comfortable visit
Simple & Comfortable

What Is the Process to Get a Dental Filling?

Most fillings are done in a single, comfortable visit. Here is what to expect from start to finish.

1
Step 1

Numb and Prepare

We gently numb the area, then remove the decay and clean the tooth so only healthy structure remains.

Dentist gently preparing a tooth for a tooth-colored filling at Albert Dental in Overland Park, Kansas
2
Step 2

Place and Bond

The composite is placed in thin layers, shaped to your bite, and hardened with a curing light so it bonds to the tooth.

Placing and bonding a tooth-colored composite filling at Albert Dental in Olathe, Kansas
3
Step 3

Shape and Polish

We fine tune the shape, check your bite, and polish the filling until it looks and feels like a natural part of your tooth.

Shaping and polishing a finished mercury free tooth-colored filling at Albert Dental in Overland Park, Kansas

Over 90% of adults have had a cavity in a permanent tooth.

A tooth-colored filling is the most common way to repair one and keep the tooth strong for years.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Compare

What Is the Difference Between a Tooth-Colored and Metal Filling?

Both repair a cavity, but they are made of different materials and suit different situations. Here is how they compare, and what we recommend.

Tooth-Colored Composite

Bonded Tooth-Colored Resin

Made from a composite resin, a blend of a plastic base and fine glass particles that is bonded to the tooth and shaded to match your natural enamel.

  • Best for front and visible teeth where appearance matters
  • Ideal for small to mid size cavities
  • Bonds to the tooth and preserves more natural structure
  • Mercury free and metal free
  • Blends in with no dark line or silver flash

Metal Amalgam

Silver Mercury Alloy

Made from a mix of silver, tin, copper, and mercury bound into a hard, silver-gray material that is packed into the tooth rather than bonded to it.

  • Historically used on back teeth under heavy chewing force
  • Silver-gray and clearly visible in the mouth
  • Requires removing more healthy tooth to hold it in place
  • Contains mercury bound with other metals
  • Can leave a dark line or gray tint over time
Cost & Insurance

How Much Do Tooth-Colored Fillings Cost in Overland Park & Olathe?

Transparent pricing, no surprises. Most insurance plans cover a large portion of a tooth-colored filling. Here is what to expect before your visit.

Tooth-Colored Filling
$100 – $300
per filling, without insurance
Single-surface filling$100 – $200
Multi-surface filling$200 – $300
Insurance coverage50 – 90% typically
Treatment timea single visit
Typical Insurance Coverage
100%
PreventiveCleanings, exams, X-rays
80%
Basic RestorativeFillings, extractions, periodontal
50%
Major ServicesCrowns, implants, dentures

Fillings count as basic restorative care, usually covered 50 to 90 percent depending on your plan. We verify your benefits before every visit and file the claim for you.

Every plan is different. Reach Albert Dental in Overland Park at (913) 948-9488 or Olathe at (913) 247-1315 to confirm your exact coverage.

Common Questions

Dental Filling Questions, Answered

Are dental fillings painful?▾
No, getting a filling is not painful. We numb the tooth first, so most people feel only a little pressure during the procedure and nothing sharp. The area may stay numb for a few hours afterward, and any mild soreness usually fades within a day. Albert Dental places gentle, comfortable fillings at both the Overland Park and Olathe offices.
What are tooth-colored dental fillings made out of?▾
Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin, a durable blend of a plastic base and fine glass or ceramic particles. The material is bonded to the tooth and shaded to match your natural enamel, so the repair is virtually invisible. Albert Dental uses mercury free composite fillings at both the Overland Park and Olathe locations.
What are metal fillings made out of?▾
Metal fillings, called amalgam, are made from a mix of silver, tin, copper, and mercury bound together into a hard, long-wearing material. They are silver-gray and clearly visible in the mouth. Albert Dental places tooth-colored composite fillings instead, which are mercury free and blend in with your smile in Overland Park and Olathe.
How long do dental fillings last?▾
A tooth-colored filling typically lasts seven to ten years or longer with good care, and many last well beyond that. How long depends on the size of the filling, where it sits in the mouth, and your brushing and diet habits. Albert Dental checks your fillings at every six month visit in Overland Park and Olathe.
Can I eat and drink normally after getting a dental filling?▾
Yes, in most cases you can eat and drink normally soon after a tooth-colored filling, because the composite hardens completely during the visit. We do suggest waiting until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Reach Albert Dental in Overland Park at (913) 948-9488 or Olathe at (913) 247-1315 with any questions.
How do I know if I need a filling?▾
You may need a filling if you have a visible hole or dark spot on a tooth, sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets, or a rough edge you feel with your tongue. Often early cavities have no symptoms at all, which is why regular checkups matter. Albert Dental catches cavities early with exams and low dose x-rays in Overland Park and Olathe.
What happens if a cavity is left untreated?▾
An untreated cavity does not heal on its own and keeps growing, so the decay reaches deeper into the tooth and can cause pain, infection, and eventually tooth loss. Treating it early with a simple filling usually avoids a root canal or extraction later. Albert Dental can often restore an early cavity in a single visit in Overland Park and Olathe.
Are tooth-colored fillings safe?▾
Yes, tooth-colored composite fillings are safe and widely used. They are mercury free, bond directly to the tooth, and the materials are well studied and accepted by the American Dental Association. Albert Dental places mercury free composite fillings for children and adults at both the Overland Park and Olathe offices.
Can I replace my old metal fillings with tooth-colored ones?▾
Yes, old metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored composite, and many patients choose this for a more natural look or when an old filling wears down, cracks, or begins to leak. We remove the old material and bond a new tooth-colored filling in its place. Ask Albert Dental about replacement options in Overland Park or Olathe.
Does dental insurance cover tooth-colored fillings?▾
Most dental plans cover tooth-colored fillings on front teeth, and many now cover them on back teeth as well, though some plans reimburse at the silver-filling rate. We file the claim for you and confirm your coverage first. Reach Albert Dental in Overland Park at (913) 948-9488 or Olathe at (913) 247-1315.
Will my tooth be sensitive after a filling?▾
Mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days after a filling is normal and usually fades on its own. If it stays sharp, lasts more than a week, or your bite feels high, let us know so we can adjust it quickly. Albert Dental is glad to check any filling at both the Overland Park and Olathe offices.
How do I care for a tooth after a filling?▾
Care for a filled tooth just like the rest of your teeth: brush twice a day, floss daily, and limit sugary snacks and drinks. Keep your regular six month visits so we can check the filling and catch any new decay early. Albert Dental reviews your fillings at every cleaning in Overland Park and Olathe.