What is Composite?

As a Miami Beach dental office offering composite fillings, we use high-quality composite resin to repair teeth affected by decay or minor damage. Composite is a durable, tooth-colored material made from a blend of plastic and ceramic that closely mimics the look and feel of natural enamel. It’s ideal for filling cavities, repairing chips, and even reshaping teeth for improved appearance and to prevent future dental care.

Because composite bonds directly to your tooth, it offers a conservative and aesthetically pleasing solution. Most patients don’t even notice the restoration once it’s placed. However, if the damage is too extensive for composite alone, our dentists may recommend a more advanced option—such as an inlay, onlay, or crown—to provide lasting support.

You may need a filling if you experience tooth sensitivity, discomfort when eating sweet or cold foods, or notice visible spots or roughness on your tooth’s surface. During your visit to our Miami Beach dental office, we’ll use advanced diagnostic imaging to detect cavities early—often before you feel any pain—so treatment can be quick, comfortable, and minimally invasive.

Yes. Composite fillings are made from a biocompatible resin that contains no mercury or metal, making them a safe and aesthetic choice for patients of all ages. When placed correctly and maintained with good oral hygiene, these tooth-colored fillings can last for many years while preserving your natural smile and protecting against further decay.

Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns: What’s the Difference?

When tooth damage goes beyond what a composite filling in Miami Beach can support, it’s important to choose the right restoration to protect and preserve your tooth. At SoBe Dentist, we offer inlays, onlays, and dental crowns—each designed for different levels of tooth damage and structural needs.

Inlays

Inlays are ideal when decay or damage is limited to the center of the tooth, between the cusps (the raised points on your molars). These restorations are custom-made to fit precisely within the tooth’s grooves, like a puzzle piece.

They are often used to replace old or failing fillings and provide a stronger, longer-lasting solution—without needing to remove as much healthy tooth structure as a crown. Inlays are bonded into place for a snug fit, restoring your tooth’s natural shape and function while keeping your smile looking seamless.

Onlays

Onlays are used when the damage extends beyond the center of the tooth and affects one or more cusps. They offer a more extensive repair than inlays while still preserving much of your natural tooth. Sometimes referred to as “partial crowns,” onlays are an excellent option when a full crown is not yet necessary.

Like inlays, onlays are fabricated outside the mouth in a dental lab and bonded securely to the tooth. They offer increased protection, strength, and longevity, particularly for patients who grind their teeth or have experienced fractures in the biting surface.

Crowns

When a tooth is severely weakened, cracked, or heavily decayed, a dental crown is the most comprehensive solution. A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth—restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance.

Crowns are often recommended after root canal therapy, large fractures, or when a tooth has lost significant structure due to old restorations or wear. Modern crowns are made of tooth-colored materials like porcelain or zirconia, ensuring a natural look that blends with your smile.

Each of these restorations plays an important role in protecting your teeth, restoring function, and preserving your long-term oral health. During your visit, we’ll assess your needs and recommend the option that offers the best balance of strength, aesthetics, and conservation of natural tooth structure.

Inlays and Onlays: A Conservative Alternative to Crowns

When decay or damage is too extensive for a filling but doesn’t yet require a full crown, inlays and onlays offer the perfect middle ground. These custom restorations are fabricated in a dental lab and bonded to your tooth for exceptional fit, strength, and appearance.

  • Inlays sit within the grooves of the tooth, between the cusps.
  • Onlays extend over one or more cusps, covering a larger surface area.

Made from tooth-colored porcelain or composite, both inlays and onlays provide a longer-lasting and more supportive solution than traditional fillings, while preserving more of your natural tooth structure than a full crown.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings in Miami Beach

Tooth-colored fillings offer a wide range of benefits that make them a preferred option over traditional metal fillings:

  • Nearly Invisible – Designed to match your tooth’s natural color
  • Tooth-Preserving – Requires less drilling and keeps more of your natural tooth
  • Strong Bonding – Composite resin securely bonds to the enamel
  • Reduced Sensitivity – Expands and contracts like your tooth, minimizing discomfort
  • Repairable – Can be touched up or added to if needed
  • Biocompatible – No mercury or metal-related health concerns
  • Fast Treatment – Material hardens quickly with a special curing light

Metal vs. Tooth-Colored Fillings

While metal fillings were once the standard, they come with several drawbacks. Metal fillings (which include amalgam, a mixture of various metals including mercury) are highly visible and often require the removal of more natural tooth structure to stay in place.

Unlike composite, metal does not bond to the tooth, can lead to sensitivity with temperature changes, and may be a concern for patients with metal sensitivities or allergies. Tooth-colored fillings, in contrast, offer a safer, more aesthetic, and more conservative solution.

If your old silver amalgam fillings are worn, cracked, or affecting the appearance of your smile, replacing them with tooth-colored composite can be an excellent upgrade. Composite restorations not only improve aesthetics but also form a stronger, more natural bond to your tooth structure—enhancing comfort, strength, and longevity.

Dental Fillings Procedure

If we identify signs of decay during your dental exam at our Miami Beach office, we’ll recommend restoring the area with a composite filling for a natural-looking, lasting result. Here’s what to expect:

  • We’ll numb the tooth using local anesthetic for a comfortable experience.
  • The decay is gently removed, and the tooth is cleaned and prepared.
  • We apply the composite resin, shape it to match your tooth’s natural contour, and cure it with a special light.
  • The final step is polishing and smoothing the surface to ensure your bite feels natural.

In just one short visit, your tooth is restored to its proper strength, function, and appearance.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the process feels. At SoBe Dentist in Miami Beach, we use gentle techniques and local anesthetic to ensure a pain-free experience. You may feel mild pressure as the composite resin is shaped and cured, but the treatment is quick, efficient, and allows you to return to your daily activities right away.

Once the numbness fades, you can brush and floss as normal. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods for a few hours after your appointment to give the material time to fully settle. Continue scheduling regular cleanings and checkups at our Miami Beach dental office to help your composite fillings stay strong and beautiful for years to come.

Restore Your Smile with Confidence

Whether you’re dealing with a new cavity, want to replace old metal fillings, or need a more advanced solution like an inlay, onlay, or crown—SoBe Dentist in Miami Beach is here to help you smile brighter and healthier. Our commitment to aesthetic, functional, and long-lasting restorations means you’ll receive care that not only looks natural but truly supports your overall oral health.

Don’t wait for decay to get worse. Call (305) 535-2225 today to schedule your appointment for composite fillings in Miami Beach and take the next step toward a stronger, more beautiful smile.