A filling is the most common restoration in dentistry. When decay has broken through the enamel, the affected tissue is removed and the resulting cavity is rebuilt with a material that restores the tooth’s shape, seal and chewing surface. At Parkway Dental we use tooth-coloured composite for most fillings, so the repair blends with the surrounding tooth.
When a filling is the right treatment
Fillings suit cavities that are small to moderate, where enough healthy tooth structure remains around the repair to support it. They are also used for small chips, worn notches at the gumline, and to close minor gaps. When decay is extensive, or a cusp has fractured, a filling may not have enough surrounding tooth to hold onto — in that case an inlay, onlay or crown is a more durable choice, and your dentist will explain why.
What to expect at your visit
The tooth is usually numbed with local anaesthetic first. Decay is removed, and the cavity is cleaned and shaped. For a composite filling, a mild acidic gel and a bonding agent are applied so the material adheres to the tooth, then the composite is placed in layers and hardened with a curing light. Finally the filling is shaped to match your tooth’s contours and adjusted so your bite feels even.
Most single fillings take between twenty and forty-five minutes.
Afterwards
Composite sets hard immediately, so you can eat as soon as the freezing wears off — take care not to bite your cheek or tongue before then. Some sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days is normal, particularly with deeper cavities, and usually settles. If your bite feels high, or sensitivity is sharp and persists beyond a couple of weeks, call us; a small adjustment often resolves it.
Fillings do not last forever. The edges eventually wear and can leak, allowing decay to start underneath, which is one of the things your dentist checks at every recall visit.