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Cavity? Quick fix

Tooth-Colored Fillings at Kitto Family Dental

Tooth-colored, mercury-free fillings that blend right in. Most take just one visit, and you’re back to your day before you know it.

Schedule OnlineCall (805) 922-4109
Smiling older man relaxing in a dental chair
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS·Last updated
4.9 out of 5 from 473 Google reviews (as of October 2026). Read them on GoogleCaring for Santa Maria families for more than 40 yearsThree dentists accepting new patients

Tooth-colored fillings that blend in.

A standard filling appointment takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and location of the cavity. We use tooth-colored composite resin, carefully color-matched to your natural tooth so it blends in. Local anesthesia keeps the appointment comfortable.

What are the benefits of fillings?

Stops a cavity in its tracks

Removing the decay protects the rest of the tooth.

Nobody will notice

Tooth-colored material blends with your smile.

Keeps more of your tooth

Small fillings remove only what is needed.

In and out

Most single fillings take 30 to 60 minutes.

Bye-bye, cold-drink zing

Filling a cavity can ease pain from cold and sweets. See sensitive teeth.

Skips bigger work later

Treating a small cavity early can avoid a crown or root canal later.

A filling, step by step.

Numbing

We apply topical gel first, then local anesthetic. We wait for full numbness before anything starts.

Remove decay

Only the decayed and weakened tooth structure is removed. We preserve as much healthy tooth as possible.

Place and shape filling

Composite resin is placed in layers, each layer light-cured. Final shaping matches your natural bite.

Check and polish

We check your bite with articulating paper, adjust if needed, and polish to a smooth finish.

When a filling does the trick.

Fillings work well for small-to-moderate cavities and small chips. For larger cavities, teeth with cracks, or teeth that have already had multiple fillings, a crown may be a better choice because it protects more of the tooth. We’ll explain the trade-offs for your specific situation and let you decide.

More on dental crowns

After your filling.

  • Wait until numbness is fully gone before eating. Chewing a numb lip or tongue is common and uncomfortable.
  • Sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days is normal and typically resolves within one to two weeks.
  • If your bite feels off even after the numbness is gone, call us. A quick bite adjustment is simple and solves the problem.
  • Brush and floss normally once numbness is gone.

How long will my filling last?

Well-placed tooth-colored composite fillings typically last five to ten years, sometimes much longer. Lifespan depends on four factors: how big the filling is relative to the tooth, where in the mouth it sits, how much pressure your bite puts on it, and how consistently you brush, floss, and keep your preventive visits.

Small fillings on front teeth routinely last ten or more years. Larger fillings on back chewing surfaces are the ones that wear out faster, because they are doing more work. When a filling is too large to replace with another filling, that is usually a signal that the tooth needs a crown to protect the remaining structure.

At every six-month visit, we check your existing fillings for wear, chips, or decay around the edges. Replacing a small failure early is far simpler than waiting until a tooth cracks.

How long different filling materials typically last

MaterialTypical lifespanBest for
Tooth-colored composite5 to 10 yearsFront teeth, small-to-moderate cavities, visible areas
Silver amalgam (historical)10 to 15 yearsBack teeth under heavy chewing (less used today)
Porcelain inlay/onlay10 to 15+ yearsLarger cavities where a filling is too much and a crown is too much
Gold inlay/onlay15 to 30 yearsPatients who prioritize longevity over aesthetics

Who you’ll see.

Portrait of Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Practicing since 2011, in the practice her father, Dr. Robert Kitto, founded. Full-scope family and restorative care.

Every doctor here sees kids and adults, and you can ask for the same doctor each visit. Meet all three dentists.

Insurance, minus the headache.

  • Most PPO plans welcome. We check your benefits before your visit, including deductible and remaining yearly maximum.
  • A written estimate first. For anything beyond a routine preventive visit, you see what insurance is expected to pay and what you owe before we begin.
  • We file the claim. You don’t need to send anything to your carrier yourself.
  • No insurance? No problem. We explain costs up front. Our membership plan covers routine care for one yearly fee, and CareCredit or Cherry financing can help with larger treatment.

Not sure what your plan covers?

Call with your carrier name and member ID. We’ll tell you what to expect before you book. Heads up: we don’t participate in most DHMO or Medi-Cal dental plans.

Check my coverage

Insurance and payment details

Why fix a cavity now?

Cavities don’t heal on their own. They tend to grow deeper over time, and a cavity that reaches the nerve can lead to pain, infection, or a root canal. Small fillings are quicker and cost less.

Got questions? We’ve got answers

Have questions about fillings?

Will my filling hurt?
Not during the procedure. We make sure you are fully numb before we start. Some patients experience mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days afterward, which typically resolves within one to two weeks.
How long do fillings last?
Well-placed tooth-colored fillings typically last many years. Longevity depends on cavity size, location in the mouth, your bite, and daily hygiene. Larger fillings or those on chewing surfaces usually need replacement sooner than small ones.
Do you still use silver (amalgam) fillings?
No. We use tooth-colored composite resin fillings. They bond to the tooth, require less removal of healthy tooth structure, and blend in with your smile.
Can you replace my old silver fillings?
Yes, when there is a clinical reason to replace them (decay around the edges, a cracked filling, or a cracked tooth under the filling). We don’t recommend replacing a healthy silver filling just for cosmetic reasons unless you specifically want that change.
Does my insurance cover fillings?
Most PPO dental plans cover a significant portion of composite fillings on front teeth. Coverage on back teeth varies. Some plans downgrade coverage to the silver-filling price and you pay the difference. See our insurance page for details.
How long does a filling appointment take?
Most single fillings take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and location of the cavity. Numbness usually wears off within a few hours.
What if the cavity is too big for a filling?
When decay or a crack removes too much of the tooth, a filling may not hold up. We may recommend a crown to protect what is left, or a root canal if the nerve is involved. We show you the x-ray and photos so you can see why.
Will I know the cost before treatment, and when do I pay?
Yes. Before any treatment beyond your exam and cleaning, you get a written plan with a cost estimate. If you have insurance, we check your benefits first and file the claim for you. Your portion is due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, major credit cards, and financing through CareCredit or Cherry for larger treatment. See insurance and payment.

Why people love Kitto.

4.9

473 Google reviews as of October 2026.

Hear it from the neighbors

While you’re here.

Swipe for more. It all happens right here on East Main.

Light reading (for your teeth).

Patient guideAn Old Filling Needs Attention. What Should You Ask?Questions that help you understand a filling or crown recommendation.Patient guideHow Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?Twice a year fits most people. Here’s who needs more, or less.Patient guideIt Has Been Years. Where Do I Start?The first step back is smaller than you think. No lectures.

We accept most PPO plans, CareCredit, Cherry, and offer a membership plan for patients without insurance.

Think you’ve got a cavity? Let’s look.

Call us. A short exam tells us what you are dealing with and your options.

Call (805) 922-4109Request an Appointment
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