Fillings & Bonding in Evanston, IL

Modern composites are very durable and perform well on both front and back teeth, thanks to material science that has come a long way from the composites used decades ago. Because composite resin bonds directly to the tooth, Dr. Andre Amarante can preserve more of your natural, healthy tooth structure than amalgam, which is simply packed into place rather than bonded.

Amalgam still has a longer track record on large molar restorations, but composites have improved significantly and are now the standard of care for most cavities. When a restoration is very large or a tooth has lost significant structure, Dr. Andre Amarante may recommend a crown for maximum strength.

Before any drilling begins, the tooth is numbed with local anesthesia, so what most patients notice is mild pressure rather than sharp pain, and smaller fillings may not even require numbing. Tell us if anything feels sharp and we will pause and add more anesthetic.

If bonding is being done to reshape or repair the outside of a tooth rather than treat decay, the process usually skips anesthesia altogether since no drilling is involved. Any sensitivity afterward is typically mild and resolves within a few days, and you're always welcome to let us know if it lingers longer than expected.

Composite fillings typically last 7 to 10 years with proper care, and many last significantly longer. How long yours holds up depends on the size of the filling, which tooth it's in, and how much daily chewing force it takes on, since back teeth tend to see more wear simply because of the workload.

You can maximize their lifespan with good oral hygiene, regular checkups, and steering clear of habits like chewing ice or grinding your teeth. Routine exams also let Dr. Andre Amarante catch small issues, like a hairline crack or worn edge, before they turn into a bigger repair.

Dental bonding is a durable cosmetic solution, but it typically doesn't hold up as long as a composite filling, since the material often covers a broader, more exposed surface of the tooth rather than sitting protected inside a cavity. With good care, most bonded teeth look great for a good while before the material needs a simple touch-up or replacement.

How long your bonding lasts depends heavily on habits: biting into hard foods like ice or hard candy, chewing on pens, or grinding your teeth at night can all shorten its lifespan, and coffee, tea, and red wine can gradually dull its shine and color match over time. Because bonding isn't as stain-resistant as porcelain, good oral hygiene and gentle habits go a long way, and Dr. Andre Amarante will let you know at your regular checkups if a touch-up is due.

Yes. Whether for cosmetic reasons or because old fillings are showing wear, cracking, or staining at the edges, many patients choose to swap amalgam fillings for tooth-colored composites. It's a common request, one that lets your smile look completely natural rather than showing a flash of metal when you laugh or talk.

Dr. Andre Amarante can evaluate your existing fillings and recommend replacement when it's beneficial, whether that means visible wear on the amalgam, a new crack in the surrounding tooth, or simply a personal preference for a tooth-colored option.

A filling treats a cavity, removing decay and restoring the tooth's structure so it can function normally again. Dental bonding, by contrast, is typically a cosmetic procedure that reshapes or repairs the visible surface of a tooth, closing small gaps, rebuilding a chipped edge, or covering discoloration that whitening won't budge.

Both rely on the same tooth-colored composite materials, but fillings focus on function while bonding focuses on appearance, and a single procedure often achieves both at once. Bonding can also be placed over areas of gum recession to ease sensitivity in an exposed root surface, one more way this versatile material gets used.

The cost of a filling or bonding procedure comes down to the size of the restoration, which tooth is treated, and whether the work addresses decay or is purely cosmetic. Larger fillings or bonding that covers a bigger area generally cost more than a small, single-surface repair.

Fillings that treat decay are covered by most dental insurance plans, though bonding done for purely cosmetic purposes may not be. At our Evanston, IL office, you'll receive a detailed cost estimate before any work begins. To help fit treatment into your budget, we also offer flexible payment options.