A filling is material that is inserted into an area of the tooth to repair the area due to wear, damage or decay. A number of materials are used as fillings, including amalgams, resins and resin composites. The preparation, filling and adjustment for a filling generally occur in one visit.
Advice
Get a clear idea from your dentist on why the tooth is being filled, and how many days it will be before you can expect no residual sensitivity in the tooth from the drilling.
Ask your dentist about taking an over-the-counter pain-killer before the procedure so that it does not hurt when the numbness wears off.
If the Novocain needle bothers you, close your eyes or look away when the dentist is giving you the injection, and think about a work issue or where you want to take a next vacation, anything to distract you.
Stories
Tooth Filling
For the past six months it hurt when I chewed on one side. The dentist took X-rays but didn’t see a problem, so she recommended removing part of the existing filling so she could look inside and put in a new filling. Read More
Ken, male, 41, Massachusetts
Tooth Filling
I had cavities and so I needed fillings in my upper and lower teeth. Read More
Dave, male, 60, New Jersey
Tooth Filling
I had a filling fall out and I needed it replaced.
Read More
Krystle, female, 20, California
Tooth Filling
I was scheduled for an onlay/filling to continue to maintain the healthy structure of my teeth. Read More
Brian, male, 30, New Jersey
Tooth Filling
The dentist had used a diagnostic laser during a scheduled teeth cleaning and it indicated I had a cavity. Read More
Karl, male, 40, New Jersey
Tooth Filling
I had to get two fillings because two teeth contained decay. Read More
Gwen, female, 30, Massachusetts
