Once the tooth has been prepared and all decay removed, chemicals and materials are placed on the tooth to increase bond strength and to protect the tooth. Next, the composite material is placed incrementally into the tooth and is hardened by exposure to a special curing light. The restoration is then contoured to fit the bite and then is highly polished. These fillings require a bit more time than the silver fillings because of the number of steps involved. Composite fillings can also be a bit more sensitive, at first, to extreme hot and cold and they may discolor over time if the patient smokes or drinks a lot of coffee, tea or cola. They can also be more expensive and some composites may wear faster than silver fillings; however, they yield a much more natural and aesthetic result.

Ceramic fillings, like composites, come in several different types that can be used for different situations. Ceramics are typically used for the larger and more broken down areas. In these cases, an inlay or onlay to cover more of the tooth's surface may be indicated. These restorations are called indirect because they require fabrication by a dental laboratory, and therefore require two visits for completion. The ceramic restorations are considerably more expensive and therefore simple, one-visit composite fillings are typically used instead. Ceramic restorations are much more durable and will not stain. The final result with ceramics can be spectacular.