Short answer
At Richmond Dental Care, every filling we place is tooth-colored (composite), and one usually takes about 30–60 minutes per tooth. The area is numbed, the decay is removed, and the filling is built up in layers, hardened with a light and polished to match your tooth. Mild sensitivity for a few days is normal, and you can eat once the numbness wears off.
If the word “cavity” makes you nervous, it helps to know what’s coming. Here is how a filling works, what the appointment feels like, and how to take care of the tooth afterward.
Why does a cavity need a filling?
Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and make acid. Over time, that acid dissolves enamel and creates a hole. Very early weak spots can sometimes be reversed with fluoride, but once a true hole forms, the tooth can’t grow enamel back.
A dental filling removes the decay and seals the tooth so bacteria can’t keep working inside it. Small cavities caught early need small fillings. If decay is left until it reaches the nerve, the tooth may need a root canal and a crown instead. Our post on early signs of a cavity explains what can be done before a filling is needed.
What is a tooth-colored filling made of?
Composite resin is a mix of fine glass-like particles and a plastic resin. It comes in many shades, so it can be matched to your tooth. It bonds directly to the tooth, which means less healthy tooth usually needs to be removed to hold it in place.
What happens during the appointment?
- The dentist checks the tooth and confirms the size of the cavity, often with an X-ray.
- The tooth and nearby gum are numbed with local anesthetic.
- Decay is removed and the area is cleaned.
- A shade is chosen to match your tooth.
- The tooth surface is prepared so the material bonds well.
- Composite is placed in thin layers, and each layer is hardened with a blue curing light.
- The filling is shaped, your bite is checked, and the surface is polished.
Most people feel pressure and vibration but not pain once the tooth is numb. If you feel anything sharp, raise your hand and the dentist can give more anesthetic.
How long does a filling take?
| Filling size | Typical chair time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small, one surface | About 30 minutes | Often done at the same visit as a cleaning if time allows |
| Medium, two surfaces | About 45 minutes | Common between back teeth |
| Large or several teeth | An hour or more | May be split into more than one visit |
What should you expect after the filling?
- Numbness lasts a few hours. Avoid hot drinks and chewing on that side until it wears off so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue.
- Sensitivity to cold or biting for a few days is common, especially with deeper fillings, and should fade.
- Your bite should feel normal. If the tooth hits first when you close, call us; a quick adjustment fixes it. Our filling aftercare guide covers this and more.
- Eating: composite is hardened before you leave, so you don’t need to wait for it to set.
For more on aftercare, see our after your visit page.
Composite or silver: what’s the difference?
We place composite (tooth-colored) fillings only. We don’t place silver (amalgam) fillings, but many adults already have them from past dental work, so here is how the two compare.
| Tooth-colored (composite) | Silver (amalgam) | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Matches your tooth | Silver-gray and visible |
| How it holds | Bonded to the tooth | Held by the shape of the preparation |
| Tooth removed | Usually less | Usually more |
| Placement | Needs a dry, controlled field | More forgiving of moisture |
Old silver fillings don’t need to be replaced just because of their color. If one is cracked, leaking or has decay around it, replacing it with a composite filling (or a crown, if the tooth is weak) is a reasonable conversation at your next exam.
How long do tooth-colored fillings last?
Many last for years, but how long depends on the size of the filling, where it is, and habits like grinding or chewing ice. Large fillings on back teeth wear faster. Our post on how long fillings last covers this in detail.
What does a filling cost?
Cost depends on how many surfaces of the tooth are involved, the tooth’s location, and whether more than one tooth needs work. We give you a written estimate before treatment. Most PPO plans help cover fillings, and we verify your benefits before the visit. In-network carriers include Best Life, MetLife and Cigna. FSA/HSA and financing are also options.
When to call us
Call if you have sensitivity to sweets or cold, a rough or broken spot on a tooth, or pain when biting. After a filling, call if your bite feels high, sensitivity gets worse instead of better, or pain keeps you up at night. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the filling is fully hardened before you leave. Wait until the numbness wears off so you don’t bite your cheek, tongue or lip.
A well-matched composite filling blends with the tooth, so most people won’t notice it in normal conversation.
Yes, mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days to a couple of weeks is common. If it gets worse or the tooth throbs, call us.
It can, usually from new decay around the edge, a crack or biting something hard. Save the piece if you can and call to have it checked.
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — the right treatment for you depends on an exam.