Dental Filling Makati

Overview

Repairing decay while preserving structure

A dental filling is a direct restoration — placed chairside in a single appointment — that repairs a tooth damaged by decay, fracture, or surface wear. The decayed or damaged tissue is removed, and the resulting cavity is filled with a material that restores the tooth's shape and protects it from further damage.

DevelopDent places composite (tooth-coloured) restorations as standard. Composite bonds directly to tooth structure, supports the remaining enamel and dentine, and allows for a conservative preparation — meaning less natural tooth is removed compared to older amalgam techniques.

The appropriateness of a filling versus a more extensive restoration — such as an inlay, onlay, or crown — depends on how much of the tooth has been affected and how well the remaining structure can support a direct restoration. The treating dentist will assess this before recommending a treatment path. This page is part of the Restorative Dentistry services at DevelopDent.

When Fillings Are Indicated

Cavity classification and restoration choice

At DevelopDent, restorations are classified by cavity location — a system used internationally to describe which tooth surfaces are affected and what the restoration involves. This determines the clinical approach and the fee. The classes most commonly treated are:

Class I — Pit and fissure surfacesDecay on the biting surfaces of posterior teeth, or the pits on the inner surfaces of front teeth. Single-surface restoration.

Class II — Between posterior teethDecay on the contact surfaces of premolars or molars. An MO (mesial-occlusal) or DO (distal-occlusal) restoration involves two surfaces; MOD involves three.

Class III — Between anterior teethDecay on the contact surfaces of front teeth, not involving the biting edge. Mesial-only or distal-only; or mesial and distal together.

Class IV — Anterior contact including the edgeDecay or fracture on a front tooth that includes the incisal (biting) edge. Requires precise shaping to restore the natural contour.

Class V — Cervical surfaces near the gumlineDecay or erosion on the outer surface of any tooth near the gumline. Common in patients with gum recession or acid erosion.

Beyond filling — Crown or root canalWhen decay has reached or involved the pulp, or when so much structure is lost that a direct restoration cannot be reliably supported, a root canal or crown is needed instead.

Additional decay on the same tooth Where a tooth has decay on an additional surface beyond the primary cavity — such as lingual or buccal spread alongside a Class I — this is accounted for in the restoration and quoted accordingly. The treating dentist will confirm the full scope after examination.

The Process

What a composite filling involves

Most fillings at DevelopDent are completed in a single appointment. Composite is placed incrementally — in layers — to manage shrinkage during curing and to ensure a well-adapted, durable result.

1

Examination and diagnosis

Decay is diagnosed through clinical examination, intraoral photography reviewed on the large chair-side screen, and targeted periapical radiography where relevant. The extent and depth of decay is confirmed before treatment is planned. Where there is doubt about the depth, the treating dentist will explain what is known and what will be confirmed once the cavity is opened.

2

Anaesthesia (if needed)

For decay into dentine or deeper, local anaesthesia is administered to ensure the procedure is comfortable. Superficial enamel restorations may not require anaesthesia — the treating dentist will advise at the appointment.

3

Decay removal and cavity preparation

The decayed tooth structure is removed — taking care to preserve as much healthy tooth as possible. For deep cavities, a liner or base may be placed before the composite is applied, to protect the pulp and support the restoration.

4

Composite placement and shaping

Composite resin is applied in incremental layers, each cured with a blue-spectrum light before the next is placed. This layering technique controls shrinkage and ensures the restoration is well-bonded to the tooth structure. The restoration is then shaped and adjusted to fit the bite precisely.

5

Bite check and polishing

The occlusion — how the teeth come together — is checked and adjusted until the bite is even and comfortable. The restoration is then polished for a smooth, natural finish. Composite restorations can be colour-matched to adjacent teeth so the restoration is visually discreet.

Why DevelopDent

How fillings are approached here

Intraoral camera — seeing what you're treating

At DevelopDent, intraoral photos are taken and displayed on a large chair-side screen before and during treatment. Patients can see the decay, the cavity, and the finished restoration themselves. Transparency about what is being done — and why — is a standard part of every appointment.

Conservative removal of tooth structure

Composite bonding allows for a more conservative cavity preparation than older amalgam restorations, which required mechanical undercuts to stay in place. At DevelopDent, the cavity is prepared to the minimum required to remove all decay and create a reliable bond — not to a standardised shape regardless of the actual decay extent.

Honest escalation when a filling won't hold

A direct composite filling has limits — if the remaining tooth structure is insufficient to support one, placing a filling anyway leads to early failure. At DevelopDent, if an inlay, onlay, or crown is more appropriate, this is explained clearly before treatment, not discovered after a restoration fails six months later.

Existing amalgam removal managed carefully

Patients replacing old amalgam restorations with composite should know that removing amalgam generates mercury vapour. At DevelopDent, amalgam removal is carried out with protective measures in place — water irrigation, high-volume evacuation, and controlled sectioning — to minimise exposure during removal.

Fees

Dental filling fees

Composite restorations at DevelopDent are priced from ₱1,500 per tooth. The final price depends on the depth of the cavity and the number of tooth surfaces being restored.

What drives the cost Single-surface restorations sit near the base price; multi-surface restorations on deeper cavities rise from there. Cavity class — the location of the cavity and how many surfaces it affects — is the primary driver. We use composite materials matched to your tooth shade, with the bonding protocol selected for the depth and location of the restoration. Fees are confirmed after examination, so the cost of treatment is clear before any drilling begins.

If the assessment reveals decay deeper than expected — requiring root canal treatment or a different type of restoration — this will be discussed with you before any work proceeds.

Questions

Dental fillings — frequently asked

How long does a composite filling last?

Composite restorations generally last five to ten years or longer with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups. Lifespan depends on the size of the restoration, the tooth's position in the mouth, and biting habits — patients who grind their teeth (bruxism) place higher stress on fillings. Larger composite restorations in high-load areas may be better served by a laboratory-made inlay or onlay.

Should I replace my old amalgam fillings with composite?

Amalgam fillings that are intact and not showing signs of deterioration do not necessarily need replacement. If an old amalgam is leaking, cracked, or if decay has formed underneath it, replacement with composite is clinically indicated. Replacing functional amalgam for purely cosmetic reasons is a more nuanced decision — the treating dentist can assess the condition of existing restorations at a check-up and give you an honest recommendation.

My filling fell out — what should I do?

A lost filling exposes the dentine or cavity beneath, which can be sensitive and vulnerable to further decay. Contact the clinic to arrange a repair appointment. Avoid chewing on the affected side and keep the area clean in the meantime. Temporary filling material (available at pharmacies) can be used to protect the tooth until your appointment if sensitivity is significant.

Is there sensitivity after a filling is placed?

Some post-operative sensitivity to cold or biting pressure is common, particularly for deeper restorations, and usually resolves within one to two weeks as the tooth settles. Sensitivity that persists beyond a few weeks, worsens over time, or includes spontaneous pain may indicate the pulp is involved and warrants a review appointment.

What is the difference between a filling and a dental crown?

A filling restores part of a tooth directly from within the cavity. A crown covers the entire visible tooth from the gumline up and is fabricated in a laboratory. Crowns are used when too much tooth structure has been lost for a filling to be reliably supported — or when the tooth needs full-coverage protection, such as after root canal treatment.

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