Tooth Filling Process: What to Expect During Cavity Treatment
If you’ve ever had a throbbing toothache or been told you have a ‘hole’ in your tooth, you’re definitely not alone. Tooth decay, or cavities, are incredibly common, but the good news is that the fix—the dental filling—is a reliable, straightforward procedure.
For many people, the thought of a visit to the dentist can bring on a bit of nerves, especially when a procedure like a tooth filling process is on the cards. But understanding exactly what happens during this routine cavity treatment can take the mystery and much of the anxiety out of the experience.
This guide is designed to walk you through every stage of the dental filling procedure, from why you need one to the steps involved and how to look after your new tooth restoration.
What Is a Tooth Filling?
In the simplest terms, a tooth filling is a way to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay (a cavity). Think of a cavity as a tiny pothole that forms on the surface of your tooth. If you leave a pothole, it just gets bigger and causes more damage. A filling is like patching that hole.
When tooth decay occurs, the hard outer layer of the tooth (enamel) is eroded by acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. This creates a hole. If this hole isn’t treated, the decay can spread deeper, causing pain and potentially leading to more serious problems like infection or the need for a root canal.
The purpose of the filling is threefold:
Remove the Decay: The dentist first cleans out all the diseased, infected material from the tooth.
Stop the Spread: Once the hole is cleaned and sealed, the bacteria can’t get in to cause more damage.
Restore the Function: The filling material replaces the missing tooth structure, allowing you to chew properly and restoring the natural shape and look of your tooth.
It’s an essential and common treatment in modern dentistry, allowing people to keep their natural teeth healthy for a lifetime. This simple tooth restoration is often the first line of defence against serious dental issues.
When You Need a Filling
How does a dentist determine you need a filling? While severe toothache is an obvious sign, often cavities can be developing without you even knowing it. Regular check-ups are key to catching them early.
Signs of a Cavity
You might need a filling if you notice any of the following:
Pain or Sensitivity: This is the most common symptom. You might feel a sharp twinge or dull ache when biting down, or increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
Visible Holes or Pits: Sometimes you can see or feel a distinct pit, chip, or hole in your tooth.
Staining: Dark spots (brown, black, or grey) might appear on the tooth surface.
Food Getting Stuck: If food seems to constantly get caught in one particular spot between your teeth, it could be a sign of a small opening caused by decay.
Floss Tearing: Floss that frays or tears in a specific area could indicate a sharp edge or hole.
The Dentist’s Examination
When you visit your dentist, they use a few methods to check for decay:
Visual and Tactile Check: The dentist uses a small mirror and a tiny, gentle instrument called an explorer (or probe) to carefully check the surfaces of your teeth for areas that feel soft, sticky, or uneven.
Dental X-rays: X-rays are crucial. Many cavities form between teeth where the dentist can’t see them. An X-ray image reveals these hidden areas of decay as shadows, confirming the need for cavity treatment.
Diagnostic Tools: Modern practices may also use laser or light-based tools that help detect decay in its earliest stages, well before it becomes a large, painful hole.
The sooner a cavity is found, the smaller and easier the dental filling procedure will be. That’s why your dentist recommends a regular six-month check-up!
Types of Dental Filling Materials
One of the first decisions you and your dentist will make is choosing the right material for your filling. The choice depends on where the tooth is located (front or back), how big the cavity is, your budget, and what you personally prefer for the look of your smile.
Here is a breakdown of the most common filling materials used in Australia:
1. Composite Resin (Tooth-Coloured Fillings)
What it is: A mixture of plastic and finely ground glass particles.
The Look: This is the most popular choice because it can be precisely matched to the colour of your natural teeth, making it virtually invisible. They are commonly used for front teeth and visible surfaces on back teeth.
Pros:
Aesthetics: Excellent colour match.
Bonding: They bond directly to the tooth structure, which helps to support the remaining tooth.
Versatility: Can be used to repair chips, cracks, and change the shape of teeth.
Cons:
Durability: Less hard-wearing than amalgam or gold, especially for very large fillings in molars that take heavy chewing force.
Staining: Can sometimes stain over time, especially with heavy coffee or red wine consumption.
Procedure Time: The process of placing a composite filling is more technique-sensitive and takes a little longer.
2. Amalgam (Silver Fillings)
What it is: A durable, affordable mix of metals, including silver, copper, tin, and mercury.
The Look: Distinctly silver/grey. Due to their obvious colour, they are typically used only for back teeth (molars) where they aren’t visible.
Pros:
Strength: Extremely durable, long-lasting, and highly resistant to wear. Excellent for teeth that handle heavy chewing forces.
Cost: Generally the most affordable option.
Time: Quicker and less sensitive to moisture during placement than composites.
Cons:
Aesthetics: Visually noticeable, which is a big drawback for many people.
Structure: Requires the dentist to remove slightly more healthy tooth structure to create a stable shape for the amalgam to lock into.
Temperature Sensitivity: Metal conducts temperature, which can cause temporary sensitivity. (Note: While concerns about mercury exist, decades of research have shown that dental amalgam is a safe and effective restoration material.)
3. Gold Fillings
What it is: A gold alloy (cast gold) that is made in a dental lab and then cemented into the tooth.
The Look: Gold in colour.
Pros:
Durability and Longevity: Gold is incredibly strong and resistant to corrosion. They often last for 15 to 20 years or more.
Comfort: Well-tolerated by gum tissue.
Cons:
Cost: Significantly more expensive than other options.
Multiple Visits: It requires at least two separate visits to the dentist as the filling is custom-made in a lab.
Aesthetics: Gold is visible, though some people prefer the look.
4. Porcelain/Ceramic Fillings (Inlays and Onlays)
What it is: Fillings made from porcelain or ceramic material in a lab or using CAD/CAM technology (like CEREC) in the clinic. They are often called inlays or onlays depending on how much of the tooth surface they cover.
The Look: Highly aesthetic; they mimic the look and translucency of natural tooth enamel beautifully.
Pros:
Aesthetics: Excellent match to tooth colour. They are very resistant to staining.
Durability: Stronger and more resistant to wear than composite resin.
Cons:
Cost: Comparable to or slightly less than gold, making them one of the more expensive options.
Brittleness: If not perfectly placed, they can sometimes fracture.
5. Glass Ionomer Cements
What it is: A material that contains acrylic and a special type of glass.
The Look: Tooth-coloured, but not as strong or as aesthetic as composite resin.
Pros:
Fluoride Release: This material slowly releases fluoride, which can help prevent further decay.
Quick Setting: Easy to place.
Cons:
Durability: Much weaker than composite or amalgam; they are primarily used for small, non-chewing surfaces, in children’s teeth, or as temporary fillings.
The choice of filling material is a joint decision made to ensure the best possible tooth restoration for your situation.
Step-by-Step Tooth Filling Process
The actual tooth filling process is a well-practised, routine procedure that your dentist performs multiple times a day. While the exact duration can vary based on the size and location of the cavity and the material used, the typical appointment lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what you can expect during the dental filling procedure:
Step 1: Diagnosis and Preparation
Before starting, the dentist confirms the location and extent of the cavity, usually referring to your X-rays. They will explain the process and the chosen material.
Step 2: Numbing the Area (Local Anaesthetic)
For most fillings, the area around the tooth needs to be numb so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Topical Gel: The dentist first applies a flavoured topical numbing gel to the gum area where the injection will go. This dulls the sensation.
Local Injection: Once the area is slightly numb, a local anaesthetic is gently administered via a small injection near the tooth. This is the part that might feel like a little sting or pressure, but it’s quick, and within a few minutes, the tooth and surrounding gums will feel completely “fat” or numb.
Minor Fillings: If the decay is very shallow and only in the enamel layer, a patient may not require anaesthetic, but this is usually reserved for the smallest of restorations.
Step 3: Isolating the Tooth
To keep the tooth dry and clean—which is vital for a strong bond, especially with composite fillings—the dentist will isolate the tooth. This is done using cotton rolls, a suction device, or sometimes a dental dam (a thin sheet of rubber placed around the tooth). This keeps saliva and moisture out of the cavity, preventing bacterial contamination.
Step 4: Removing the Decay
This is the central part of the cavity treatment. The dentist uses a small, high-speed dental drill to carefully and precisely remove all the decayed tooth material.
The Sound: This is usually the part that makes people nervous due to the sound and vibration. However, because the tooth is completely numb, you will only feel pressure and vibration, not pain.
Thorough Cleaning: The dentist must ensure all the soft, infected material is removed. They may use different-sized drills and hand instruments to scrape out the last bits of decay. They will often check the surface with a dye that stains any remaining decay, ensuring the tooth is absolutely clean.
Step 5: Shaping the Cavity
Once the decay is gone, the space remaining—the “prep”—must be shaped according to the type of filling material being used:
Amalgam: The dentist needs to create specific undercuts or retention features in the tooth structure so the packed metal can lock into place.
Composite: This material bonds directly to the tooth, so the shaping is generally more conservative, removing only the decayed portion.
Step 6: Placing and Securing the Filling
The process now varies based on the chosen material:
For Composite (White) Fillings:
Etching: The dentist applies a mild acid gel (etchant) to the cleaned cavity for about 15 seconds. This roughens the surface microscopically, creating thousands of tiny pores for the bonding agent to grip.
Bonding Agent: The etchant is washed off, and a liquid adhesive (bonding agent) is painted onto the prepared tooth surface.
Curing: A bright blue “curing light” is shone on the bonding agent to harden it (cure it).
Layering: The composite resin material is placed into the cavity in small, thin layers. Each layer is smoothed out and then cured with the blue light for a few seconds. This layering process is crucial to ensure the material hardens evenly and securely, preventing shrinkage and maximising the strength of the tooth restoration.
For Amalgam (Silver) Fillings:
Matrix Band: A thin metal band (matrix) might be placed around the tooth to create a temporary wall if the cavity is on the side of the tooth.
Packing: The soft, freshly mixed amalgam is packed firmly into the cavity. The dentist uses special instruments (condensers) to push the material tightly into all the corners of the preparation.
Carving: While the amalgam is still pliable, the dentist uses carving tools to shape the filling, recreating the natural contours of the tooth surface, including the grooves and bumps (cusps).
Step 7: Finishing and Polishing
Regardless of the material, the final and critical step is to make sure your bite (occlusion) feels correct.
Checking the Bite: The dentist will ask you to bite down gently on a piece of special articulating paper (often blue or red). This leaves marks on the high points of the filling.
Adjusting: The dentist carefully uses the drill and polishing tools to remove any high spots. This is repeated until your bite feels completely comfortable and natural. A filling that is too high can cause pain or fracture the tooth later on.
Polishing: Finally, the filling is smoothed and polished to ensure a clean finish that is comfortable against the tongue and easy to keep clean with brushing and flossing.
With that, the tooth filling process is complete.
What to Expect After the Procedure
The good news is that you can often return to normal activities straight after the procedure. However, there are a few common things to be aware of as the anaesthetic wears off.
The Numbness
The local anaesthetic will keep your cheek, lips, tongue, and the treated area numb for several hours.
Caution: Be very careful not to accidentally bite your cheek or tongue while the area is numb. Avoid chewing on the treated side until the feeling has fully returned.
Eating/Drinking: It’s best to stick to soft foods and cool drinks until the feeling returns to avoid burns (if drinking hot liquids) or accidental injury.
Sensitivity
It is very common to experience some temporary sensitivity after a dental filling procedure.
Temperature: You may notice sharp, brief sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. This happens because the tooth has been worked on and the nerve needs a bit of time to settle down.
Biting: You might feel a dull ache when chewing, particularly for the first few days.
Duration: This sensitivity usually subsides within a few days, but sometimes it can take a few weeks. If sensitivity is severe or lasts longer than a month, call your dentist as the filling might need a minor adjustment to your bite.
When to Call Your Dentist
While most post-filling issues resolve quickly, you should contact your clinic (like your dentist Warrawee or Normanhurst) if you experience:
Severe or Pulsing Pain: Pain that is intense, throbbing, or wakes you up at night is not normal.
A “High” Filling: If your bite feels drastically wrong even after the numbness wears off (it feels like the filling is hitting first), you need an adjustment right away. A high filling can cause pain in the jaw joint or loosen the filling.
Allergic Reaction: Although rare, if you experience a rash or itching, contact your dentist.
How to Care for a New Filling
A filling is a fantastic tooth restoration, but it’s not an excuse to skip your oral hygiene routine. How long your filling lasts depends heavily on how well you look after it.
Immediate Care (First 24 Hours)
Avoid Chewing: As mentioned, do not chew until the anaesthetic has worn off fully.
Watch the Material:
Composite: These are set immediately by the curing light, but your dentist might advise avoiding highly pigmented foods (like coffee, beetroot, turmeric, etc.) for a few hours to prevent any slight staining while the material fully settles.
Amalgam: While strong, amalgam fillings continue to harden for about 24 hours. Your dentist may advise eating on the other side of your mouth for the first day.
Long-Term Care for Longevity
The Gold Standard Routine: Stick to the basics—brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. Flossing around a filling is crucial to prevent new decay from forming at the edges of the tooth restoration.
Avoid Hard & Sticky Foods: Try to limit chewing on hard lollies, ice, or unpopped popcorn kernels. These can put immense pressure on the filling and the remaining tooth structure, potentially chipping the filling or even cracking the tooth.
Manage Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): If you grind your teeth at night, the filling (and your other teeth) will wear down faster. Talk to your dentist about a custom-made night guard.
Regular Check-ups: Visit your dentist (e.g., your local dentist Wahroonga) every six months. They will check the integrity of the filling—looking for cracks, leaks, or signs of wear—and make sure no new decay is forming around it.
With good care, a composite filling can last 5 to 10 years, and an amalgam filling often lasts 10 to 15 years or more.
Conclusion
The tooth filling process is a common, safe, and highly effective cavity treatment that has saved countless teeth over the years. By removing decay and sealing the hole with a strong, durable material, the filling restores your tooth’s health, strength, and function, preventing future pain and more complicated, expensive dental work.
Knowing the step-by-step dental filling procedure—from the gentle application of the anaesthetic to the final check of your bite—should reassure you that this is a routine part of maintaining a healthy smile. Don’t let a bit of decay turn into a major problem. Take the simple step today to protect your dental health.
Call to Action
If you have any signs of tooth sensitivity, haven’t had a check-up in a while, or suspect you might need a filling, it’s important to get it sorted straight away.
Don’t put off your dental health! Contact your local professional. Whether you need a quick check-up from a trusted dentist Wahroonga, a thorough assessment at a clinic in Warrawee, or simply want to inquire about the cost of a cavity treatment near Normanhurst, the best move is to pick up the phone and book an appointment today. A healthy smile starts with a simple call.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Does the tooth filling process hurt?
A: No, you should not feel any pain. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, which completely numbs the tooth and surrounding area. You will feel pressure, vibration, and hear the sound of the dental instruments, but you won’t feel sharp pain. If you feel any discomfort at all, tell your dentist immediately, and they can administer more anaesthetic.
Q2: How long does a dental filling procedure take?
A: On average, a simple, single-surface filling takes about 30 minutes to an hour from the moment you sit in the chair until you leave. Larger fillings, those placed on multiple tooth surfaces, or custom-made restorations (like inlays/onlays) will take longer, sometimes up to 90 minutes.
Q3: How long do fillings last?
A: The lifespan of a filling depends heavily on the material used, your oral hygiene, and how much chewing force the filling is exposed to.
Composite (White) Fillings: Typically 5 to 10 years.
Amalgam (Silver) Fillings: Often last 10 to 15 years or more.
Gold/Porcelain Inlays: Can last 15 to 25 years. Remember, regular check-ups allow your dentist to spot small problems with an old filling before it fails entirely.
Q4: When can I eat after getting a filling?
A: This depends on the anaesthetic and the material:
Anaesthetic: You should wait until the numbness has completely worn off (usually 1–3 hours) to prevent accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
Composite Fillings: Since these are cured instantly with a light, you can technically chew as soon as the anaesthetic wears off.
Amalgam Fillings: Dentists often advise waiting about 24 hours before applying heavy chewing pressure to an amalgam filling, as they take time to reach their maximum hardness.
Q5: Is it better to get a white (composite) filling or a silver (amalgam) filling?
A: Both are excellent for tooth restoration, but they serve different purposes.
Choose Composite: If the tooth is visible (front teeth) or you prioritise aesthetics, or if you prefer a material that bonds to the tooth.
Choose Amalgam: If the filling is large, located on a back molar that takes heavy chewing, and your priority is maximum durability and cost-effectiveness. Your dentist will recommend the best material for the specific location and size of your cavity.
Source: Tooth Filling Process: What to Expect During Cavity Treatment
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