Fillings Quick Facts
Dental fillings restore your teeth' natural shape and functionality in a painless manner. Your doctor will use a drill to remove the damaged part and fill the cavity with a material of your choice (composite, ceramic, or amalgam).
Cost
Inexpensive
Insurance
Often covered by insurance
Time
Quick Procedure
What Our Patients Are Saying
Graeme Henderson
"During my visit, Dr. Holt took the time to thoroughly explain each procedure and address any concerns I had, ensuring that I felt comfortable and informed every step of the way."
Why You Might Need Fillings
Stop Decay in Its Tracks: Cavities provide the perfect hiding spots for bacteria and food particles, which can worsen tooth decay if left untreated. Fillings seal these spaces, protecting your tooth from further damage and reducing the risk of decay spreading to the tooth’s inner pulp or surrounding gums.
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Cure Pain, Sensitivity & Bad Breath: Tooth pain or sensitivity - whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp twinge when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods - often signals a cavity that needs attention. Fillings eliminate the source of the discomfort and also help resolve issues like bad breath caused by bacteria in the cavity.
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Restore Functionality: When decay is removed and a filling is placed, your tooth regains its natural shape, strength and function. This makes biting and chewing painless and balanced again, so you can enjoy meals without worrying about discomfort or avoiding certain foods.
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Prevent Costly and Invasive Procedures: Ignoring a cavity can lead to more serious problems, such as infections or abscesses, that may require invasive treatments like root canals or extractions. Fillings are a straightforward, cost-effective solution that prevents these complications and saves you from larger dental bills down the line.
The Filling Procedure
01
Dental Examination
We will begin with examining your problematic tooth. Dr. Holt may take an X-ray for a clearer view of the decay. After assessing the extent of the damage, he’ll discuss the best filling options for you, such as composite, ceramic, or porcelain, to ensure you get the most suitable treatment.
02
Administering Anesthesia
To keep you comfortable, a topical anesthetic may be applied before injecting the local anesthesia. We’ll wait 5-10 minutes for the area to become numb before starting the procedure.
03
Cleaning the Damaged Area
Using a high-speed drill, Dr. Holt will carefully remove the decayed tissue. A cavity-detecting solution ensures nothing is missed. Any remaining debris will be cleared with a slow-speed drill, leaving the tooth clean and ready for the next step.
04
Prepping The Hole for Filling
The cavity is prepped by roughening the enamel with an etching gel for stronger adhesion. The etch is then rinsed, the area is dried, and a bonding agent is applied and hardened using a curing light.
05
Placing The Filling
Dr. Holt will layer the filling material (for composite) into the cavity and shape it to match your tooth's natural contours. Once the filling is fully placed, it will be hardened and sealed using a curing light.
06
Final Bite Check & Polishing
Since the area will still be numb, you might not feel if the bite is balanced. We will check for high spots using bite paper and make precise adjustments to avoid discomfort later. After trimming any excess material, your filling will be polished for a smooth, natural finish.
Recovery After Extractions
In the First 24 Hours: After getting a filling, it’s best to avoid eating or drinking right away, especially if you’ve had a silver amalgam filling, as it takes longer to fully set. Once you resume eating, stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods like soups, yogurt, or mashed potatoes to avoid putting pressure on the new filling.
Long-Term Care: Good oral hygiene is key to keeping your fillings and teeth in top shape. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss gently around the filled tooth to prevent plaque buildup. Sensitivity to hot or cold foods is normal for a short time, but if it lasts for weeks or worsens, it’s a sign to schedule a follow-up.
Protecting Your Fillings: If you grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can safeguard both your fillings and natural teeth from unnecessary wear and tear.
Extractions FAQs
What type of dental filling is best?
The best type of dental filling depends on your individual needs.
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Composite fillings are often preferred because they blend well with your natural teeth, offering a more aesthetic result. They bond strongly to the tooth, preserving more of the healthy tooth structure. However, composite fillings tend to be more expensive.
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Amalgam fillings, while durable and cost-effective, are less discreet as they don’t match the natural color of your teeth. They also contain mercury, which is harmful for pregnant or breastfeeding women or those planning to become pregnant. Because of this, we don’t recommend or offer them at our practice.
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Dr. Holt will evaluate your specific case, including your medical history, the extent of decay, and your budget, to recommend the best option for you.
How long does a dental filling last?
The lifespan of a dental filling can range from 5 to 20 years, depending on the material used and factors such as your oral hygiene and eating habits.
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Amalgam Fillings: Can last between 10 to 15 years. They’re often used in the back teeth because of their strength and ability to withstand chewing.
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Composite Fillings: Usually last 5 to 10 years. Their lifespan can be influenced by their location in the mouth and your oral care routine.
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Ceramic Fillings: Can last 15 years or more. They’re resistant to staining and commonly used for visible teeth.
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Gold Fillings: Often last 15 to 20 years or even longer. However, they tend to be the most expensive.
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Glass Ionomer Fillings: Typically last around 5 years and are ideal for low-stress areas, like near the gum line.
Is dental filling painful?
No, getting a dental filling is not painful. You may feel some pressure as the dentist cleans out the cavity, but it won’t be painful. Before starting, we apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area, followed by local anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort, including from the injection itself.
How long after a filling can I drink water?
It’s best to wait until the local anesthesia has worn off, which usually takes about 2 to 3 hours after the procedure. Drinking while still numb can lead to accidentally biting your lips, tongue, or cheeks.
If you’ve had amalgam fillings, avoid solid foods for 24 hours, but you can generally drink water once the numbness has subsided.
What is not allowed after tooth filling?
After getting a filling, it’s best to avoid hard, sticky, crunchy, overly hot, or sugary foods for a few hours.
Once the anesthesia wears off, try not to chew on the side of the filling for up to 48 hours, just to be safe. It's also advisable to refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol for a few days following the procedure to promote healing and avoid irritation.