Dental fillings are used to fill chips, cracks, or cavities in your teeth. They help restore the tooth’s structure, allowing you to regain functionality when chewing, biting, or talking. Dental fillings are among the most common dental treatments administered by dentists. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2017, Australian adults had an average of 11.2 decayed, missing, and filled teeth.  

If you have tooth decay or suffered an accidental chip while eating, you may need a dental filling. At Advanced Dental Care, patients often ask ‘how long does a filling take?’ Depending on factors like the extent of your tooth decay and the location of the tooth in your mouth, and even the filling material used, the length of the treatment can vary. However, placing a small filling should take no more than an hour, from start to finish. 

 

Why You Might Need Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are an effective treatment for the world’s most common oral health problem: dental caries. Also referred to as cavities or tooth decay, dental caries is damaged sections of tooth enamel that gradually develop into small holes. Cavities are caused by a buildup of acids and bacteria from food and drinks. 

Food particles and potentially corrosive acids from sugary drinks can become lodged between your teeth. If they aren’t removed through proper brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleaning, they wear away at your tooth’s enamel, eventually eroding the surface. While you can prevent cavities using good oral hygiene habits, they must be treated promptly to prevent tooth decay from progressing.  

 

Large holes allow bacteria to penetrate the inner layers of your tooth, which may develop into pulpitis or a tooth abscess. Tooth decay can eventually lead to root canal treatment or even tooth loss if left untreated. 
Dental fillings are also effective for repairing minor chips and cracks. Signs of cavities or issues that require dental fillings include: 

  • Discomfort when chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks
  • Bleeding gums
  • Inflammation in the gums or face
  • Toothache or general oral discomfort
  • Bad breath
  • Visible cracks or holes in your teeth

 

How Long Does a Filling Take

So, how long does a filling take? Dental fillings can be completed in a single visit and rarely take longer than an hour. However, the number of surfaces being treated can affect the length of the treatment. 

At Advanced Dental Care, Dubbo, we use tooth-coloured composite resin for our dental fillings. This material enables us to carry out minimally invasive dental work, requiring less drilling, saving more of your tooth’s natural structure. 

Your composite resin dental fillings can last for several years with good care and maintenance. A review of the longevity of composite restorations found that 60% of composite resin fillings last more than a decade. 

The procedure may take longer if you require large dental fillings for molar or premolar teeth. Because these teeth have a larger chewing surface area, your dentist needs to apply more layers of composite material to the tooth. 

If you are having an old filling repaired, your dentist may discover severe decay under the filling. If the filling is large or the tooth has previously been filled several times, there may not be enough remaining structure to support another filling. 

Your dentist may prescribe a dental crown instead of a dental filling to increase the tooth’s strength and integrity. The treatment length for a dental crown is significantly longer. You typically need two sessions to restore the tooth with a crown; the first to prepare the tooth and the second to fit the crown. 

 

How Long Does a Filling Take: The Procedure

dental filling longevity dubboThe first step of the dental filling procedure is to apply a local anaesthetic, numbing the gums around the affected tooth. Your dentist then removes the decay or old filling material before disinfecting the site. To prepare your tooth for the composite filling, your dentist reshapes the cavity, smoothing any rough edges. 

The composite material is applied to the tooth in layers, and each layer is hardened using a curing light before applying the next. Once the filling is shaped and polished, you’ll be asked to bite down on articulating paper to check your jaw alignment. If further adjustments are needed, your dentist will reshape the filling to ensure it’s comfortable and aligns with your bite. 

 

Spot Early Signs Of Decay With Regular Check-ups At Advanced Dental Care, Dubbo

If you’re still wondering, how long does a filling take, and what is involved in the procedure? Talking to a dentist at our practice in Dubbo can ease your concerns. If you are nervous about getting a dental filling, our compassionate and skilled dental team at Advanced Dental Care can explain the steps involved before administering treatment.   

To prevent tooth decay, schedule regular cleanings and check-ups. Give Advanced Dental Care a call on (02) 6188 7103 to book your next appointment today. 

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

 

 

References

Oral health and dental care in Australia
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-teeth

Oral health
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health

How Long Does It Take to Get a Filling?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-filling#what-to-expect

How Long Do Fillings Last?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-fillings-last

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