Dental Filling Procedure Step-by-Step: What Happens During Your Visit

You notice sensitivity when sipping cold water. A routine checkup reveals a small cavity. Your dentist recommends a dental filling, and suddenly you wonder what the appointment involves. Understanding the dental filling procedure removes uncertainty and helps you prepare calmly. At 3 Senses ENT & Dental Clinic, our dental team explains each step, chooses the right tooth filling material, and ensures comfort throughout the visit. This guide walks through what happens from the moment you sit in the chair until you leave with a restored tooth.

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Why dentists recommend dental fillings

• Dental filling repairs cavities (tooth decay) by removing damaged tissue and filling the space with durable material.
• Fillings also fix:
  • Minor chips or cracks in teeth.
  • Worn areas from grinding or heavy chewing.
• Without treatment, cavities grow deeper and can reach the tooth nerve, requiring root canal treatment instead of a simple filling.
• Early tooth filling saves time, reduces discomfort, and preserves more natural tooth structure.

Types of tooth filling material dentists use

Before the procedure, your dentist discusses which tooth filling material suits your cavity size, tooth location, and budget.

• Amalgam (silver fillings):
  • Durable metal mixture (silver, mercury, tin, copper).
  • Strong for back teeth with heavy chewing pressure.
  • Visible silver color.
• Composite resin (tooth-colored fillings):
  • Plastic and glass mixture matched to natural tooth color.
  • Blends well with front teeth for aesthetic results.
  • Bonds directly to tooth structure.
• Glass ionomer:
  • Releases fluoride to protect the tooth.
  • Often used for children’s teeth or areas with less chewing stress.
• Permanent tooth filling material options (indirect fillings made in a lab):
  • Gold inlays/onlays (very durable, higher cost).
  • Porcelain/ceramic inlays/onlays (tooth-colored, strong).

Most dental filling procedures use direct materials (amalgam, composite, glass ionomer) that dentists place in one visit.

Before the dental filling procedure: preparation

What you do before arriving:

• Brush and floss as usual (clean mouth helps the dentist work efficiently).​
• Eat a normal meal if you prefer (but avoid eating right before if you feel anxious).​
• Share any medication allergies or health changes with the dental team.

What the dentist does:

• Reviews your x-ray to confirm cavity size and location.​
• Explains which tooth filling material they recommend and why.
• Discusses sedation options if you feel nervous (nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or local anesthesia alone).

Also Read: Tooth Decay Treatment Options Explained in Plain Language

Step 1: Numbing the tooth area

• The dentist applies numbing gel to the gum around the tooth.
• After the gel takes effect (1-2 minutes), they inject local anaesthetic near the tooth roots.
• You feel brief pressure or a pinch duringthe  injection, then the area goes numb within minutes.​
• Numbness prevents pain during the dental filling procedure—you may feel vibration or pressure, but not sharp discomfort.

Step 2: Removing decay and damaged tooth structure

• Once numb, the dentist uses a drill or laser to remove decayed portions.​
• The drill makes noise and creates vibration, but proper numbing blocks pain.​
• The dentist checks carefully to remove all decay—leaving bacteria behind allows cavities to grow under the tooth filling.
• For deeper cavities, they may place a liner or base material to protect the tooth nerve.​

This step is the most critical: thorough cleaning ensures the filling lasts and prevents future problems.

Step 3: Preparing the tooth for filling material

• After removing decay, the dentist cleans the cavity space with water and air spray.​
• For composite resin fillings, they apply an etching gel that roughens the tooth surface slightly so the filling bonds strongly.​
• They rinse away the gel and apply bonding adhesive, then cure it with a special blue light.​
• For amalgam fillings, the tooth surface does not need bonding—amalgam packs directly into the prepared space.

Step 4: Placing the tooth filling material

For direct fillings (one-visit procedure):

• The dentist places the chosen tooth filling material into the cavity in layers.​
• Composite resin: each layer hardens under a curing light before adding the next layer.​
• Amalgam: the dentist packs silver material firmly into the cavity and shapes it before it hardens on its own.
• Glass ionomer: placed in one or two layers, hardens chemically without light.

For indirect fillings (two-visit procedure):

• During the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth, takes impressions, and places a temporary filling.
• A lab creates the permanent tooth filling material (gold, porcelain, or ceramic inlay/onlay).
• During the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary filling, fits the permanent restoration, and bonds it securely.

Also Read: Bad Breath And Gum Disease: Understanding The Mouth–Gum Connection

Step 5: Shaping and polishing the filling

• The dentist shapes the filling so it matches your natural tooth contour.​
• You bite down on special paper to check if the filling feels too high—adjustments ensure comfortable bite alignment.​
• Finally, the dentist polishes the filling so it feels natural against your tongue and does not trap food.​

Proper shaping prevents jaw strain and ensures the dental filling functions like the original tooth.​

After the dental filling procedure: what to expect

Immediate effects:

• Numbness lasts 1-3 hours after leaving the clinic.​
• You can eat and drink immediately, but waiting until numbness fades prevents accidental cheek biting.
• Mild sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure is normal for a few days to two weeks.​

First 24-48 hours:

• Chew gently on the filled tooth.
• Avoid very hard or sticky foods.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers if soreness develops.

Long-term:

• Sensitivity should fade within two weeks.
• If pain worsens or the filling feels uneven, contact your dentist for adjustment.

How long dental fillings last

Durability depends on tooth filling material and oral care habits:

• Amalgam fillings: 10-15 years average, sometimes 20+ years.
• Composite resin fillings: 5-10 years average.
• Glass ionomer fillings: 5 years average.
• Gold inlays/onlays: 15-30 years.
• Porcelain inlays/onlays: 10-15 years.

Regular dental checkups help catch worn fillings early before new decay starts.

Caring for your dental filling

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to prevent cavities between teeth.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks that feed decay-causing bacteria.
• Wear a nightguard if you grind teeth during sleep.
• Visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams.

Good oral hygiene protects both the tooth filling and surrounding natural teeth.

When dental fillings need replacement

• Fillings crack, chip, or fall out over time from chewing forces.
• Decay can develop around old filling edges if oral hygiene slips.
• Sensitivity that returns after years may signal filling failure.

Your dentist checks filling condition during routine visits and recommends replacement when needed.

Book Your Dental Filling Appointment at 3 Senses

The Dental Care Department at 3 Senses ENT & Dental Clinic in Sector 57 Gurgaon provides dental filling procedures using quality tooth filling materials matched to your needs. The team explains your cavity, discusses material options (amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer), and completes most fillings in a single comfortable visit. Call +91 88262 62607 or visit to schedule your appointment. Early dental filling treatment prevents bigger problems and keeps your smile healthy for years.

FAQs

1. What are the 4 types of fillings?

• Amalgam: Silver-colored metal filling (mercury, silver, tin, copper); strong for back teeth, lasts 10-15+ years
• Composite resin: Tooth-colored plastic/glass mixture; blends with front teeth, bonds directly, lasts 5-10 years
• Glass ionomer: Fluoride-releasing cement; good for root cavities and children, lasts ~5 years
• Indirect (inlay/onlay): Lab-made gold, porcelain, or ceramic; used for larger cavities, lasts 10-30 years

2. How long do fillings last in teeth?

Tooth filling lifespan depends on material and oral care: amalgam 10-15+ years, composite 5-10 years, glass ionomer ~5 years, gold/porcelain 15-30 years. Regular checkups extend life by catching wear early.

3. Is a dental filling painful?

Dental filling procedure uses local anaesthesia, so patients feel pressure/vibration but no sharp pain. Mild sensitivity may follow for 1-2 weeks after numbness wears off, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

4. Which type of tooth filling is best?

No single permanent tooth filling material is “best”—selection depends on cavity location, chewing force, aesthetics, and budget: amalgam for durability (back teeth), composite for appearance (front teeth), glass ionomer for fluoride release (children/root cavities).