A white background with a few lines on it

Dental Fillings

Dental Filling: What to Expect?

While we tailor treatment to the individual and ensure the highest quality of care, most dental fillings are completed in under an hour. Advances in technology now allow dentists to create inlays and onlays in a single visit. However, larger or multiple fillings may require additional time, depending on the materials used, which could necessitate a second appointment for completion.


  • The process begins with a thorough examination of your cavity. 
  • Depending on the case, local anesthesia may be administered to numb the area. 
  • The dentist will carefully remove the decay by drilling through the enamel, then sterilize and prepare the tooth for the filling. 
  • After the filling material is applied, the tooth is polished, ensuring a comfortable and functional bite.


While discomfort is rare, it’s best to avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks for up to two days following the procedure to allow the filling to settle. This approach ensures a smooth recovery and long-lasting results.

Schedule an Appointment

Types of Dental Fillings

Here are some of the more common options for dental fillings:


  • White Fillings (Composites) | A mix of glass or quartz particles and acrylic resin, these have a color that resembles your natural teeth.
  • Silver-Color Fillings | These are a mixture of metal that combines mercury, tin, silver, and copper.
  • Gold Fillings | This is a more expensive option as the fillings are a mixture of gold, copper, and other metals.
  • Glass Ionomer Fillings | Another tooth colored-filling, this option is less sturdy than composites. These are made of acrylic and a specific glass that contains fluoride, an ingredient in toothpaste that helps prevent cavities. Glass ionomer fillings are frequently utilized for children's teeth.
  • Porcelain Fillings | Like gold fillings, these are developed in a lab after your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, though they are more natural in appearance.
  • Dental Fillings For A Child

    Children also commonly experience cavities, even if they have great oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Dental fillings for children are often completed as quickly as they are for adults.


    You can discuss your child's necessary accommodations with your dentist and also confirm how long the filling process will take.

  • Recovering After A Dental Filling

    Most patients will notice that their dental fillings heal swiftly and without complications. Your tooth might experience sensitivity for a day or two. You can limit tooth sensitivity by following these steps:


    • chewing on the other side of your mouth for two days
    • gently brushing and flossing around the filling
    • avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages
    • avoiding acidic foods
    • brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste

    Inform your dentist if your bite feels misaligned or if you experience any extensive pain or sensitivity. Your dentist can modify the filling surface to correct your bite.

  • Discomfort Following A Dental Filling

    When the filling is completed, you may experience slight discomfort in the area near your dental work for a few hours. If you are highly uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever or apply a small amount of heat or an ice pack to your jaw.


    You are encouraged to avoid acidic foods, sticky foods, and cold foods for a day or two to ensure that the cavity is completely sealed and that you do not experience further discomfort.

  • How To Know If You Need A Dental Filling

    Routine dental checkups allow your dentist to identify a cavity early and offer immediate treatment, which will provide you with a superior and more comfortable outcome (treatment will be less invasive than if you were to visit your dentist less regularly and the issue is discovered at a more advanced stage). Symptoms of a possible cavity include:


    • tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages
    • sensitivity to sugary foods and beverages
    • extensive discomfort in a tooth
    • a hole or pit within a tooth
    • a significant tooth stain, whether it is white or a darker color

    If you believe that you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. They will confirm whether you require a filling or another form of treatment.