A filling is a simple and safe procedure done to restore teeth that are damaged by decay. Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, are also used to fix chipped and misshaped teeth.
This is usually done in a single appointment and with very little or no downtime.
Your dentist may start by numbing the area with either a topical or local anaesthetic. The decayed part of the tooth is removed and cleaned. The cavity is then filled, strengthened, and set using a special light. Your dentist will polish the filled tooth and assess your bite to ensure a comfortable fit.
Most fillings are done in under an hour. Once the numbing wears off, you may experience some sensitivity to hot or cold food, air, and pressure. This is normal and usually subsides in a week.
Also called indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are made in the lab and are fabricated accurately to the shape and size of the space to be filled. They are more resilient than fillings. With proper care and commitment to routine dental visits, they can last between 10 to 30 years.