Dental filling is a procedure used to restore a damaged or decayed tooth. During a dental filling, a dentist will remove the decayed area of the tooth and then fill it in with a material such as composite or other cements. Composite is a plastic-like material that is more aesthetically pleasing, but it is also more expensive. After the material is used to fill the tooth, it is shaped and polished to match the contours of the surrounding teeth. Dental fillings are relatively quick procedures that require little to no downtime and are usually completed in one visit.