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Clinically reviewed by Alex Fishman, DDS
Brilliant Smiles of Maryland in Reisterstown, MD repairs cavities and damaged teeth with fillings chosen for the tooth, the amount of damage, and your individual needs. Most fillings are tooth-colored, so the repaired tooth blends in with the rest of your smile.
Fillings are placed by Dr. Alex Fishman and Dr. John Longley, both graduates of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. For dental fillings in Reisterstown, call us at (410) 833-8380 to schedule an appointment.
You may need a filling if decay has created a cavity or an existing filling is damaged. Common signs include sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, pain when biting, a visible hole or dark spot, food repeatedly catching around a tooth, or a rough or broken area you can feel with your tongue.
Cavities do not always cause symptoms. Decay is often found during regular checkups or on digital X-rays before the tooth starts to hurt.
Contact us if an older filling feels loose, cracks, or breaks. If a filling falls out or you develop significant tooth pain, call our Reisterstown office the same day so we can decide how quickly you should be seen.
We place tooth-colored fillings only. Our materials are modern composites and glass ionomers, chosen for the location of the tooth, how much tooth structure needs to be restored, and your individual needs. We do not place amalgam (silver) fillings.
| Material | What it looks like | Typical visits | Often suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | Tooth-colored and matched to surrounding enamel | Usually one | Small to moderate cavities in front or back teeth |
| Ceramic | Tooth-colored and natural-looking | One or more, depending on fabrication | Larger areas that may need an inlay or onlay |
| Glass ionomer | Tooth-colored but generally less translucent than composite | Usually one | Certain smaller restorations and specific clinical situations |
Composite fillings are made from tooth-colored resin matched to your natural enamel. We use current-generation composite materials, which bond directly to the prepared tooth and can be used on front or back teeth. Most composite fillings are completed in one appointment.
When a tooth needs more support than a standard filling can provide but does not need a full crown, a ceramic inlay or onlay can restore the damaged area while preserving healthy tooth structure. These tooth-colored restorations blend with surrounding teeth. Your inlay or onlay is made for you by an outside dental laboratory, so this treatment takes more than one appointment. For larger cases, we can 3D print a temporary crown in our office so you are comfortable and able to eat normally while the final restoration is made.
Glass ionomer is another tooth-colored material that may be appropriate for certain cavities. Your dentist considers the location of the cavity, chewing pressure, and other clinical factors when deciding whether it is the right material for your tooth.
Your dentist will recommend a material based on the strength, appearance, and protection your tooth needs.
A routine filling can usually be completed in one visit. We numb the area, remove the decay, prepare the tooth, and place the filling.
Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area.
Depending on the cavity, your dentist may use a traditional dental drill, laser dentistry, or air abrasion to remove damaged tooth structure.
The area is cleaned and prepared for the filling material.
With composite, tooth-colored material is added in layers, shaped, and hardened with a curing light.
Your dentist shapes and polishes the filling and checks how your upper and lower teeth come together.
Laser dentistry can remove certain areas of decay with less need for a traditional drill. Air abrasion uses a fine stream of particles to remove small areas of decay, which may also reduce drilling. Whether either option suits you depends on the location, depth, and size of the cavity.
You may feel pressure or vibration during a filling, but the tooth is numbed with local anesthetic, so you should not feel sharp pain.
If dental treatment makes you nervous, tell us before your appointment. We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation for patients who need extra help relaxing. IV sedation is reserved for larger cases but can be arranged. Which option suits you depends on your needs, your medical history, and the treatment itself. Learn about sedation dentistry →
Most people return to their normal routine right after a filling. Your mouth may stay numb for a short time, and the tooth may be slightly sensitive for a few days while it settles.
Numbness from local anesthesia usually lasts an hour or two, although your experience may vary.
Composite fillings are hardened during your appointment, so the filling itself is ready right away. Wait until the numbness wears off before chewing so you do not accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.
Yes. Mild sensitivity to pressure, temperature, or sweets is common after a filling and usually improves within several days. Call us if it gets worse, does not go away, or your bite feels high, as the filling may need a small adjustment.
We no longer place amalgam fillings, but an existing one that is intact and healthy usually does not need to be replaced. The FDA does not recommend removing an intact amalgam filling that is in good condition with no decay underneath it. Removing a sound filling can take away healthy tooth structure unnecessarily.
Since 2020, the FDA has recommended that certain higher-risk groups avoid new amalgam fillings when possible and appropriate. These include people who are pregnant or nursing, children under six, people with certain neurological conditions or impaired kidney function, and people with a mercury or amalgam sensitivity.
Dr. Alex Fishman can examine an older silver filling for wear, cracking, leakage, or new decay and tell you whether replacement is appropriate. If appearance is your main concern, we can also discuss replacing it as part of our cosmetic dentistry options.
The cost of a filling depends on the material, the size of the cavity, and how many surfaces of the tooth are involved. Our team explains your costs before treatment begins.
We accept all major dental insurance plans, which often cover part of the cost of fillings. Your out-of-pocket amount depends on your plan. Patients without insurance are welcome, and we offer the Kleer membership plan and Sunbit financing to help manage costs.
Brilliant Smiles of Maryland is at 11813 Reisterstown Rd, Reisterstown, MD 21136, in the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center on Reisterstown Road (MD 140), near I-795.
Our regular office hours are:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
We also welcome patients from Owings Mills, Pikesville, and Glyndon.
Brilliant Smiles of Maryland at 11813 Reisterstown Rd places tooth-colored fillings for cavities and damaged teeth. If you need a filling near you in Reisterstown, call (410) 833-8380 to schedule an exam.
No. We place tooth-colored fillings only, using modern composite and glass ionomer materials. If you already have an amalgam filling, Dr. Fishman can check whether it needs replacing.
Most routine fillings are completed in one appointment. Treatment time depends on the size and location of the cavity, the material used, and how many teeth need treatment.
There is no single lifespan for a filling. It depends on the material, the size of the filling, the location of the tooth, your bite, and your oral hygiene. Our preventive program helps us monitor older fillings over time.
Yes. New decay can develop around or underneath an existing filling. Regular dental exams and X-rays help find these problems before they become more extensive.
Call us as soon as possible. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that tooth, and contact our office the same day if you have significant pain or damage.
No. Your ceramic inlay or onlay is made for you by an outside dental laboratory, so the treatment takes more than one visit. For larger cases, we can 3D print a temporary restoration in our office to wear in the meantime.
Yes. Children can develop cavities that need treatment. Fillings for children are recommended based on the tooth, how far the decay has spread, and your child’s needs.
Keeping your natural tooth is preferred when enough healthy tooth structure remains. A severely damaged or infected tooth may instead need root canal treatment, a crown if it is too damaged to fill, or, when it cannot be predictably restored, a tooth extraction.
If a tooth is sensitive, a filling feels rough or loose, or it has been a while since your last checkup, we can take a look and explain your options.
Call Brilliant Smiles of Maryland in Reisterstown, MD at (410) 833-8380 to book an exam and have your tooth checked.
