Short answer: A dental filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay or a small fracture. The dentist removes the damaged part, cleans the area and fills the space so the tooth can work normally again. Tooth-colored composite is the most common material today and often lasts 7 to 10 years, while silver amalgam can last 10 to 15 years. Typical costs run from about $100 to $450 per tooth for composite and $50 to $200 for amalgam, depending on the size of the cavity and your location. Here is how the types compare, what the visit is like, and how to make a filling last.
What Is a Dental Filling, and When Do You Need One?
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in plaque produce acid that wears through enamel and creates a hole. Once a hole has formed, the tooth cannot rebuild itself, so the decayed part has to be removed and replaced. Fillings are also used for small cracks, worn spots and chips. Catching a cavity while it is small keeps the repair simple. Left alone, decay spreads toward the nerve and the treatment gets larger and more expensive.
What Are the Signs You May Need a Filling?
- Sensitivity to sweets, hot drinks or cold air that lingers after the trigger is gone
- A visible dark spot, pit or hole in a tooth
- Pain when you bite down or chew
- Food that keeps getting caught in one spot, or floss that shreds there
- A rough edge that your tongue keeps finding, which can mean a chipped tooth or a failing old filling
Many cavities cause no symptoms at all in the early stage, which is why routine exams and X-rays matter. If the pain is severe, throbbing or comes with swelling, call right away instead of waiting for a regular visit.
What Types of Fillings Are Available?
Composite (tooth-colored) fillings
Composite is a resin and glass mixture matched to the shade of your tooth. It bonds to the tooth, so the dentist can often remove less healthy structure, and it looks natural on front and back teeth. It can be slightly less durable than metal on very large biting surfaces, and it can pick up stains over time.
Amalgam (silver) fillings
Amalgam is a long-standing, very durable material that holds up well under heavy chewing. It costs less but is clearly visible, and the tooth may need a little more shaping to hold it in place. Major health authorities consider it safe for most people, though many patients now choose tooth-colored options for appearance.
Glass ionomer fillings
Glass ionomer releases small amounts of fluoride and is often used for areas near the gumline, baby teeth or small cavities that do not face heavy chewing. It is weaker than composite, so it is not usually used for large biting surfaces.
Ceramic inlays and onlays
When damage is too large for a standard filling but the tooth does not need a full cap, a ceramic inlay or onlay made in a lab can restore it. They cost more than direct fillings and are very durable and stain resistant.
What Happens During a Filling Appointment?
- Exam and numbing. The dentist confirms the cavity on the tooth and X-rays, then numbs the area so you feel pressure but not pain.
- Removing the decay. The damaged part of the tooth is cleaned out, and the area is prepared so the material will bond properly.
- Placing the filling. Composite goes in layers, and a special light hardens each layer. Amalgam is packed into the space and shaped.
- Shaping and bite check. The filling is trimmed and polished, and you bite down on paper to make sure the tooth meets evenly with the opposite teeth.
Most fillings take 30 to 60 minutes, and you leave the office able to go back to your day. Numbness usually fades in two to four hours, so avoid chewing on that side until it does. Mild sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days is normal. If your bite feels high or the sensitivity gets worse after a week, call us, because a quick adjustment fixes it.
How Long Do Fillings Last?
Composite fillings commonly last 7 to 10 years, and amalgam often lasts 10 to 15 years, though many last well beyond that with good care. These things shorten a filling's life:
- Grinding or clenching, which cracks fillings and the teeth around them
- Chewing ice, hard candy or other hard objects
- Frequent sugary snacks and drinks that let new decay start at the edge of the filling
- Skipping brushing, flossing and regular cleanings
- Very large fillings, which hold less natural tooth around them
A filling does not decay, but the tooth around it can. New decay at the edge of an old filling is one of the most common reasons fillings need to be replaced.
How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost, and Does Insurance Help?
Cost depends on the material, the size of the cavity and the number of surfaces involved. As a general guide, composite fillings often cost about $100 to $450 per tooth and amalgam about $50 to $200. Many dental plans cover a large share of basic fillings, and some pay less for composite on back teeth, so it is worth asking. Opulent Dental checks your benefits first and gives you the cost in writing before treatment. If you do not have insurance, our VIP Dental Savings Plan and payment plans are available.
Filling, Crown or Root Canal: How Does Your Dentist Decide?
The choice comes down to how much healthy tooth is left and how close the damage is to the nerve. A small or medium cavity is a good fit for tooth-colored fillings. When a large part of the tooth is gone or cracked, a dental crown protects what remains better than a big filling. If decay or infection has reached the nerve, a root canal removes the damaged tissue and saves the tooth. Treating a cavity early is the best way to stay at the simple end of that list.
Can a Cavity Heal Without a Filling?
Only in the very earliest stage. When enamel has lost minerals but no hole has formed, fluoride treatment, better brushing and fewer sugary snacks can help the tooth repair itself. Once there is a true cavity, it needs a filling. Your dentist can tell the difference on an exam and X-ray, and may recommend watching a spot closely instead of drilling right away.
Getting a Filling in Christiansburg, VA
If you are looking for a dentist in Christiansburg, Opulent Dental treats cavities with tooth-colored fillings and offers same-day appointments for tooth pain whenever the schedule allows. Patients also travel from nearby towns, including those searching for a dentist in Radford. We explain each step before it happens, and sedation options are available for patients who feel anxious. To book, call (540) 382-4441 or visit us at 115 Akers Farm Rd NE Ste 3, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a filling hurt?
The area is numbed first, so you should feel pressure and vibration but not sharp pain. Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days afterward is normal and usually fades.
How do I know if an old filling needs to be replaced?
Warning signs include a crack or chip in the filling, a gap or rough edge at its border, new sensitivity, a dark line around it, or pain when you bite. Your dentist can check it on an exam and X-ray.
Are tooth-colored fillings as strong as silver ones?
For small and medium cavities, modern composite performs very well. Amalgam can be slightly more durable on large back-tooth surfaces, which is one reason your dentist may recommend one over the other for a specific tooth.
Can I eat right after a filling?
Composite is hard as soon as you leave, but your mouth stays numb for a few hours. Wait until the numbness is gone before chewing so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
What happens if I do not fill a cavity?
Decay keeps spreading through the tooth. It can reach the nerve and cause pain or an infection, and the tooth may then need a root canal, a crown or an extraction instead of a simple filling.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. George is a general dentist at Opulent Dental with a special interest in dental implants and restorative dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and is licensed to practice in Virginia.