Amalgam free, to prevent any silver or mercury intake, dental restorations (or fillings) are used to restore the functionality, integrity, and morphology of the missing tooth structure. These fillings bond to the natural and remaining enamel of the tooth and dentin. Restoring a tooth to good form and function requires two steps:

1. preparing the tooth for placement of restorative material or materials
2. placement of restorative material or materials

This surgical procedure involves the awake patient having the tooth anesthetized by injection. After tooth preparation, a thin primer or bonding agent is used. Modern light-polymerized composites are applied and cured in relatively thin layers as determined by their opacity. After some curing, the final surface will be shaped and polished.