Dental fillings take 20-60 minutes to complete once the site is numb, but this depends on the amount of tooth decay that needs to be removed and the size of the cavity. Composite resin dental fillings typically take more time to complete than amalgam (silver) fillings because the material is placed in layers.
On average, a dental filling procedure shouldn't take longer than an hour. A simple filling can sometimes take as little as 20 minutes. Of course, the procedure time will vary depending on the number of fillings being placed in your mouth.
During a filling you are unlikely to feel a thing. A filling does not happen in areas of the tooth where there are nerves, so you shouldn't feel any more pain from the procedure than you would feel from cutting your hair. No nerves = no pain.
Getting holes filled might require ten minutes to 1 hour per tooth, depending on the size of the cavity and its location. In some cases, you might even need two appointments with the dentist near you to fill the hole in your tooth, especially if tooth decay removal compromises the integrity of the tooth.
In general, you should wait at least 24 hours before eating with an amalgam filling, while composite fillings can usually be eaten on the same day.
The number one question many people have before getting their first cavity filled is, “Does it hurt to get a cavity filled?” The good news is, getting a cavity filled is usually a painless procedure and can actually help to relieve discomfort.
Some people elect to not have numbing gels or anaesthetics when having a cavity filled, but does I hurt when you get a cavity filled without numbing? Well, the answer should be no. When having a filling, your dentist won't reach the dental pulp inside the tooth where nerve endings are, so no pain should be experienced.
Normal Pain
Soreness of your mouth is very common after having a cavity filled, especially around the area of the affected tooth. It is also common to experience jaw pain. This happens because you've had to hold your jaw open for an extended period of time while the dentist works their magic.
Driving after having a cavity filled is perfectly safe. However, it is typical for the local anesthetic used during the cavity filling procedure to leave the area around your filling numb for up to an hour after your appointment.
If you're trying to choose between the two options and wondering “which is more painful, a tooth extraction or a filling,” removing a tooth results in a longer period of discomfort compared to a filling procedure.
The Dental Filling Procedure
There's not too much you'll need to do to prepare for your appointment. Because the procedure is non-invasive, you don't need to fast. Also, go ahead and brush your teeth as you normally would. If you know you'll have anxiety, try to schedule your filling appointment for the morning hours.
It's normal for a tooth to feel sore or sensitive after a cavity filling. This is because the dental drill has penetrated through the layers of the tooth, closer to the tooth's nerve – which is usually protected by the outer layers of the tooth.
The drilling is done to clean and prepare the tooth to accept the filling. A great way to think about this process is using an example of a similar situation.
Don't hesitate to brush your teeth or floss after a filling.
Did you know that you don't have to wait to brush your teeth or floss after a dental filling? As long as you brush gently and floss carefully around the tooth, you should be able to keep the area clean as usual.
Another standard is the width of the filling. Some say that a filling shouldn't be any wider than ⅓ of the distance between the cusps (high points) of a tooth. Others allow for up to 50% of this distance. These figures were calculated for metal amalgam fillings, which are the worst for damaging teeth.
Fortunately, there are no restrictions on eating or drinking after the procedure. Why? These days, most dentists primarily use composite fillings, which look inconspicuous in the mouth due to their whitish color (which mimics the color of your natural teeth).
If you have undergone a deep filling and are experiencing pain, it may be that the filling has reached a nerve and has irritated it. The nerve should heal itself, but if pain or sensitivity does not subside within two to four weeks, dental intervention may be required.
After your mouth is sufficiently numb, your dentist will remove the decay with a drill and then replace the decayed area with a filling. After the filling process is complete, your mouth will remain numb for at least a couple of hours. This is a normal occurrence as the anesthetic wears off gradually.
If you are scheduled for a cavity filling, your dental professional will need to remove the tooth's damaged area before starting the procedure. Generally, they would use a drill, which may be painful for some people.
Teeth start to appear as early as four months of age, and all primary (“baby”) teeth should be in place by age three. 42% of children develop cavities from age 2 to 11. Nearly 28% of children aged 2 to 5 develop a cavity.
Here's the short answer: No. Most fillings cause little to no discomfort during any part of the procedure. This is a result of using highly effective numbing agents.
There are procedures such as simple fillings that require a little local anesthetic to the tooth, which typically wears off within a few hours. It does not inhibit speaking or cause drowsiness, so yes, returning to work is fine.
While various dental conditions can cause bad breath, one of the most common causes is a cavity. The bacteria growing and thriving in a tooth's crevice is also emitting waste that leads to a bad odor. This odor can get stronger and more pungent the longer you allow a cavity to grow.