Dental Fillings in Edina, MN

Restore Your Smile with Expert Dental Fillings

ELIMINATE PAIN & RESTORE YOUR TOOTH with fillings in Edina

At Mint Dental, Dr. Marwa provides expert dental care for patients throughout Edina. If you think you have a cavity, we’re here for you. With a dental filling at our office, you can stop the progression of your cavity, restore your tooth and your self-confidence, and get back to your day-to-day routine. We offer amalgam and tooth-colored fillings in Edina, MN, tailored to your needs for strength, function, and a natural appearance. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our general dentistry office in Edina today.

Do I Need A Dental Filling? Recognizing The Signs

Wondering if you have a cavity and need a dental filling? One common symptom of an advanced cavity is tooth pain or a toothache. This may indicate a very deep cavity that’s at risk of becoming infected, so you should see a dentist right away.

However, most cavities don’t cause tooth pain. Instead, they may cause tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, or even the pressure of chewing. You may also be able to see visible holes or pits in your tooth, or you may notice gray, black, brown, or dark stains on your tooth. All of these signs could indicate the presence of a cavity.

Amalgam Vs. Composite Fillings

At our office, we offer both amalgam and composite fillings. Both types of dental fillings are safe and ideal for restoring cavities, but there are some differences between the two that you should know about.

Let’s start with composite fillings, also called tooth-colored fillings, which are usually preferred by Dr. Marwa for most patients. These fillings use a blend of dental resin and glass particles to create a strong, tooth-like, and durable filling.

The primary benefit of composite fillings is that they look and feel completely natural, and can be matched to the color of your tooth for excellent aesthetic results. However, they are a bit more expensive than amalgam fillings.

Amalgam fillings are made of a blend of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and mercury. They are very strong and durable and hold up well to prolonged, heavy biting and chewing, so they are great for restoring rear teeth like the molars. They are also cheaper than tooth-colored fillings.

However, amalgam fillings do have an unnatural, silver appearance. This is why they’re usually only used for rear teeth since these teeth are not highly visible when you smile, speak, or laugh. We usually do not recommend amalgam fillings for front teeth.

What Is The Filling Process Like?

To start the process, Dr. Marwa will clean your mouth and numb the treatment area. Then, they will trim away damaged enamel from your cavity using a dental drill. Once the tooth has been prepared, they will apply the filling material directly to the tooth.

Using special tools, the filling will be shaped and sculpted to fill up your tooth and restore its natural shape and appearance. Once the overall shape looks good, final bite checks and adjustments will be made to ensure your dental filling fits into your mouth perfectly. Then, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your newly-restored tooth.

Does It Hurt To Get A Filling?

No. Your mouth will be completely numb, and you will not experience any pain or discomfort during the filling process. Your tooth may feel a bit tender and sensitive for a few days after your treatment, but this will fade quickly. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or think you may need an amalgam or tooth-colored filling, contact Mint Dental today to schedule your appointment and restore your comfort.

Dental Fillings FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings typically last 5 to 10 years, while amalgam (silver) fillings often last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care. Lifespan depends on the filling’s size, its location in the mouth, and your oral hygiene habits. Fillings on molar chewing surfaces wear faster than those on smoother surfaces. Regular checkups let your dentist spot wear or small cracks early, before they become bigger problems. Habits like grinding, chewing ice, or biting hard foods can shorten a filling’s life. When one eventually fails, it can usually be replaced quickly, or upgraded to a dental crown if the surrounding tooth structure has weakened significantly.

Silver amalgam fillings are considered safe by the ADA, FDA, and World Health Organization for most patients, even though they contain mercury. The mercury is chemically bound to other metals in the filling, which prevents meaningful release into the body during everyday chewing. However, in 2020 the FDA recommended that certain higher-risk groups avoid new amalgam fillings when possible, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under six, and people with kidney disease or a mercury allergy. If you fall into one of those groups, tooth-colored composite fillings are a safe alternative your dentist can walk you through. There is no medical reason to remove existing amalgam fillings that are still intact and functioning.

Yes, dental fillings are generally safe during pregnancy, and both the ADA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend not delaying necessary dental care. An untreated cavity can develop into an infection that poses a bigger risk to you and your baby than the filling itself. Many dentists prefer to schedule fillings during the second trimester, when you’re likely to be most comfortable. Local anesthetics like lidocaine are considered safe during pregnancy. Let your dental team know if you’re pregnant so they can adjust the plan, for example, using composite instead of new amalgam, in line with current FDA guidance, and always share any medications or pregnancy complications before treatment begins.

A single dental filling appointment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish. The exact time depends on the size and location of the cavity, the filling material chosen, and whether more than one filling is being placed at the same visit. Composite fillings usually take slightly longer than amalgam because they are placed in layers and hardened with a curing light. Larger cavities or fillings on hard-to-reach back molars add a bit of time as well. It’s a good idea to plan for the full hour just in case, and expect to remain numb for a few hours afterward while the local anesthetic fully wears off.

You can usually eat and drink normally within a few hours of a composite filling, once the numbness has fully worn off. Composite fillings harden immediately under a curing light, so there is no waiting period for the material itself to set. For amalgam fillings, the traditional guidance is to avoid chewing on that side of the mouth for about 24 hours while the material reaches full strength. Regardless of filling type, it’s smart to avoid very hot, very cold, sticky, or hard foods for the first day, since the tooth may be sensitive. Always wait until the anesthetic wears off before eating so you don’t accidentally bite your cheek, tongue, or lip.

An untreated cavity keeps growing and can eventually cause a serious tooth infection, a dental abscess, or complete loss of the tooth. Once decay reaches the inner pulp of the tooth, a simple filling is no longer enough, you’ll typically need a root canal treatment instead. If the infection progresses further, a tooth extraction may be the only option. Infections from untreated cavities can also spread to the surrounding jaw and tissue and cause significant pain, swelling, and other health complications. Catching decay early at a routine checkup is why regular visits matter. A filling is almost always the cheapest, fastest, and least invasive fix compared to what waiting will require.

Yes. Mint Dental partners with Elite Anesthesia to offer sedation options for patients with dental anxiety and for those undergoing extensive treatment. This means you can have your filling completed comfortably even if the dental office normally makes you tense up. Sedation is also a helpful option for patients with a strong gag reflex, past traumatic dental experiences, or several procedures being combined into a single visit. If you’re anxious about your filling appointment, let the team know when you call so they can walk you through the available options and any pre-appointment instructions. You can reach the office at 952-831-1332 or through the contact page.

Replacing intact silver amalgam fillings purely for cosmetic reasons is optional and generally not medically necessary. The ADA advises against removing amalgam fillings that are still functional, because the removal process itself briefly releases more mercury vapor than leaving them alone. That said, if your silver filling is cracked, leaking, worn down, or has new decay forming underneath it, replacing it with a tooth-colored composite is a strong option that also improves the look of your smile. Many patients choose to upgrade highly visible fillings on front teeth for purely aesthetic reasons. A cosmetic dentistry consultation can help you decide whether a replacement filling, cosmetic bonding, or a crown is the best next step.

Most dental insurance plans in Minnesota, including Delta Dental of Minnesota, HealthPartners, and MetLife, classify fillings as basic restorative care and typically cover 70 to 80 percent of the cost after your annual deductible. Some plans cover composite fillings on back teeth only at the amalgam rate, with you paying the difference for the tooth-colored upgrade. Coverage varies significantly by individual plan, employer group, and how much of your annual maximum you’ve used. Before scheduling, it’s worth having the dental office verify your benefits directly so there are no surprises. The Mint Dental team can check your coverage in advance when you call 952-831-1332.

Mint Dental provides both tooth-colored and amalgam fillings at 7550 France Avenue South, Suite 138, in Edina, MN. Dr. Marwa Forest and Dr. Fatima Tiwana treat patients from Edina and the surrounding Twin Cities communities including Bloomington, Richfield, Minneapolis, and Eden Prairie. The office offers a full range of general dentistry and restorative services, along with sedation options through Elite Anesthesia for anxious patients. New patients are welcome, and appointments can be requested online or by calling 952-831-1332.

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