Dental Fillings

When a tooth has a cavity or a small chip, a filling restores it so the tooth can keep doing its job. Today’s fillings are tooth-colored, well-matched to your shade, and bonded to the tooth — most people cannot tell a filling is there once we are done.

What it is

A filling is a small dental restoration that replaces a damaged part of a tooth. Most of our fillings are made of composite resin, a tooth-colored material that is bonded directly to the tooth.

Composite fillings are a good fit for most front and back teeth. They:

• Match the color of your tooth
• Bond directly to the tooth structure
• Support the remaining healthy tooth
• Can usually be placed in one visit

If a filling has been in place for many years and starts to leak or break down, we will replace it. We will also use a filling to repair a small chip that is not big enough to need a crown.

What to expect

A typical filling visit takes 30 to 60 minutes for one tooth. Here is the general process:

1. Your dentist numbs the area around the tooth so you are comfortable
2. The decayed or damaged part of the tooth is gently removed
3. The tooth is cleaned and prepared for the filling material
4. The composite is placed in layers and shaped to match your bite
5. A special light hardens each layer
6. We polish the filling so it feels smooth when you run your tongue over it

You can usually eat right after your visit, though the numbness may last a few hours. Some teeth feel a little sensitive to cold for a day or two — that usually settles down on its own.

Who it’s for

A filling may be the right step if you:

• Have a small to medium-sized cavity
• Have a chipped tooth that does not need a crown
• Have an old metal filling that is breaking down
• Want a tooth-colored repair instead of silver

Not every cavity can be fixed with a filling. If decay is very deep, a crown or root canal may be the better long-term answer. Your dentist will explain what is going on and what your options are before we begin.