Dental fillings: what to expect, step by step

A filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay. The dentist removes the decayed part and fills the space, so the tooth can work normally again and the decay cannot keep spreading.

When do you need a filling?

When decay has made a hole in the tooth, a cavity that cannot heal by itself. A dentist can tell you by examining the tooth and, often, taking an X-ray. A filling is also used to repair a small chip or crack in a tooth, depending on its size and position. See signs of a cavity.

What happens during the visit?

1. The dentist checks the tooth and explains what needs to be done.
2. The area is usually numbed with a local anaesthetic, so you should not feel the drilling itself. You may feel pressure and vibration.
3. The decayed part of the tooth is removed.
4. The space is cleaned and the filling material is placed and shaped to match your bite.
5. The filling is hardened and polished.

A simple filling is usually done in a single visit.

What can the filling be made of?

There are different materials, including tooth-coloured fillings that match the tooth and others that are used mainly on back teeth. Which one suits you depends on the size and position of the cavity, your bite and the dentist’s judgement. Ask your dentist to explain the options for your tooth.

What to expect afterwards

• Numbness lasts for a few hours. Do not chew until it has worn off, so that you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
• The tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold or biting for a few days. This usually settles.
• If your bite feels high or uneven after the numbness has gone, tell your dentist. A small adjustment is quick.
• Pain that gets worse, or sensitivity that does not settle, needs a call.

How long does a filling last?

It depends on the size of the filling, which tooth it is in, how you bite, and how well you look after your teeth. A filling does not make a tooth immune to decay: new decay can start at its edge, so keep brushing, clean between your teeth and have regular check-ups. See what causes tooth decay.

When a filling is not enough

If decay has reached the nerve, the tooth may need a root canal treatment, and often a crown afterwards. If most of the tooth is gone, your dentist will explain what else is possible.

Fillings are available at both our clinics, in Sayan and on Chhaprabhatha-Variyav Road. Use the booking button below to ask for an appointment.