Fillings

A cavity doesn’t have to mean a bad experience. At Westside Dental Center, Dr. Uttma Dham uses tooth-colored composite fillings and AI-assisted diagnostics to catch decay early, treat it gently, and restore your tooth so naturally you’ll forget it was ever there.

What are dental fillings - and why do you actually need one?

Most people have had a filling at some point in their life. It’s one of the most common dental procedures in the world - and one of the most misunderstood. A filling isn’t just about fixing a hole in your tooth. It’s about stopping decay before it becomes something far more serious.

When bacteria break through the enamel of your tooth, they create a cavity, a small area of damage that grows over time if left alone. A dental filling removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills the space with a durable, tooth-colored material that restores both the shape and the function of the tooth.

At Westside Dental Center, we use composite resin fillings - not the old silver amalgam that most people think of when they hear the word “filling.” Composite resin is bonded directly to your tooth, matches your natural shade, and requires less removal of healthy tooth structure. The result looks and feels completely natural.

The truth is, the earlier a cavity is caught and filled, the simpler and more affordable the treatment. That’s why routine checkups matter - and why Dr. Dham uses AI diagnostics and digital X-rays to catch decay at its earliest stage, before it ever becomes a bigger problem.

Signs you may need a filling

Common signs that you may need a dental filling:

• Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• A dull ache or intermittent toothache
• Visible dark spots, pits, or holes on a tooth
• Pain when biting down or chewing
• Food getting stuck in the same spot repeatedly
• A rough or jagged edge that your tongue keeps finding
• An old filling that feels loose, cracked, or has fallen out

Types of fillings at Westside Dental Center - we use what’s best for your tooth

• Composite resin fillings (tooth-colored) - Our most commonly used filling material. Composite is a blend of plastic and fine glass particles that bonds directly to the tooth surface. It’s matched to your natural tooth shade, requires less removal of healthy enamel than amalgam, and blends invisibly into your smile. Ideal for visible teeth and smaller to mid-sized cavities.
• Glass ionomer fillings - Used in specific situations - particularly for fillings near the gum line or for young patients whose teeth are still developing. Glass ionomer releases fluoride over time, which helps protect the surrounding tooth structure from further decay.
• Ceramic / porcelain inlays & onlays - For larger areas of decay where a standard filling isn’t sufficient but a full crown isn’t yet necessary, Dr. Dham may recommend a porcelain inlay or onlay. These are custom-fabricated restorations that fit precisely into or over the damaged area of the tooth - more durable than composite for high-pressure areas like molars, and completely natural-looking.
• What about amalgam (silver) fillings? - We do not place new amalgam fillings at Westside Dental Center. Many patients also come to us wanting to replace old silver fillings with tooth-colored composite - both for aesthetic reasons and for peace of mind. Dr. Dham will assess your existing fillings and advise on whether replacement makes sense for you.

Aftercare & what to expect

Most patients leave our office feeling completely fine after a filling. Here’s what to expect in the hours and days that follow.

Immediately after the procedure:

• The anesthesia will wear off within 1-3 hours - be careful eating until then so you don’t accidentally bite your cheek or tongue
• Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks for the first 24 hours
• Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed
• Some mild sensitivity is completely normal and usually fades within a few days

In the days that follow:

• Once the numbness wears off, you can return to normal eating
• Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure can last a few days
• Call us if pain increases, the bite feels high, or the filling feels loose
• Resume brushing and flossing as usual, being gentle around the filled tooth

Long-term care:

• Composite fillings are durable but not indestructible - avoid habitually biting hard objects like ice or pen caps
• Good brushing, flossing, and regular 6-month checkups are the best way to extend the life of any filling
• With proper care, composite fillings typically last 7-10 years or more

Why Plantation patients choose Westside Dental Center for fillings

There’s no shortage of dental offices in South Florida. Here’s what makes the experience at Westside Dental Center genuinely different - even for something as routine as a filling.

What happens when you get a dental filling at Westside Dental Center.

Serving Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Tamarac, Coral Springs, Parkland, Margate, Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Dania Beach, Sawgrass Mills and all of South Florida.