When a tooth experiences advanced decay, you will notice pain, tooth sensitivity, a hole in the tooth, and other symptoms that indicate a visit to the dentist. Dental fillings are among the most common tooth procedures performed, essentially to fill a cavity. This process involves using a material to fill in the hole in your tooth after clearing out the decayed area. In most cases, the cavity-filling procedure lasts somewhere between 10 minutes to an hour, depending on a number of factors.
In this article, you will get to know details on how long cavity fillings take. Carry on reading to find out.
Cavity Filling Procedure
You can expect no pain during your cavity procedure at the dental office. The dentist will numb the affected area using a local anesthetic. Then, they will use a dental drill or a laser to remove the decayed area in the tooth. Once the decay is cleared out, the dentist will shape the empty space and prepare it for a filling.
Finally, the filling material is used to fill the empty space. Some filling materials require a special light to be hardened. Hence, the dentist might shine a special light on your filling multiple times throughout the procedure to ensure the process goes smoothly.
The last step involves polishing the filling, which involves smoothing any edges or areas that might poke your tongue in the cheek, leading to injuries.
How Long Does a Filling Take?
To answer, a cavity filling will take anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour. However, the exact time varies from person to person, depending on factors that include the size of the cavity, the number of fillings, and the material used.
If you require a single tooth filling, it might be possible to get it done in a single dental visit. In comparison, multiple fillings will take more time and may even require more than one appointment. Similarly, the dental filling procedure will not take much time if the decayed area is smaller. For larger and deeper cavities, the filling time needed would be longer. The dentist would need to remove significant decay and put in the filling material, which requires more time.
Other than this, if you are replacing an old filling, the time taken would be the same as receiving a new filling. This is because even replacing the filling would involve drilling the old material.
So, in short, how long a cavity filling takes will depend on your specific case. Also, the material of filling might impact how long the procedure takes too.
Make Your Dental Fillings Last Long
While the cavity-filling procedure is not scary or complicated, it is still better to practice precaution. First of all, regardless of the circumstances, do not neglect your oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly will ensure your teeth do not form cavities and decay does not under filling.
Preventing cavities also involves avoiding certain foods and drinks that contain acids or sugars, as consuming them increases the possibility of tooth decay. Moreover, refrain from eating sticky foods that can dislodge the filling.
Lastly, always attend your dental cleaning and examination sessions! This way, your dental specialist can ensure that your teeth remain in optimal condition and no problem occurs.
Final Takeaway
In conclusion, depending on your case, a cavity-filling procedure can take from ten minutes to an hour. At Smile 4 Ever Dentistry, we make sure your dental concerns are catered to and taken care of. Talk to us now at (281) 213-5668 or visit our experts at 14715 TC Jester Blvd Houston, Texas 77068.