Almost every individual needs a dental filling at some stage in life, as it is one of the most commonly performed dental procedures. If you are going for a dental filling for the first time, you would like to know how long it usually takes to get a dental filling. It is a restorative dental procedure for treating a decayed tooth and preventing decay from spreading.
A dental filling is a standard procedure so that the dentist can perform it quickly and effectively. Let’s find out more about how much time dental filling take.
When is it Necessary to Have a Dental Filling?
Those with a chipped, cracked, or decayed tooth need a dental filling; however, not all dental problems need one. Some signs of dental filling are:
- Regular toothache
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Food stuck between teeth
- Bad breath
- Teeth getting grey
All these symbols indicate tooth crazing, internal tooth decay, or enamel erosion. It usually leads to a broken tooth requiring extensive treatment like a dental crown. So, the tooth can be preserved by opening, removing the decay, and placing the dental filling. The dentist also fills the thin fracture lines using composite to restore the appearance and structural integrity of the teeth.
How Long Does the Dental Filling Procedure Take?
Generally, dental filling takes half an hour to one hour, but when you go for a simple filling, it can take as little as 20 minutes. Dental offices have the technology to make inlays and onlays in a single appointment, but a more extensive filling can take a long time. When we look at the materials for filling, it can take a long time and may need a second visit.
The composite resin material layered into the tooth can take longer but is completed in a single visit. There are composite fillings that can be made from an impression. It may require a second visit to fill the bond. When we look at porcelain or gold fillings, they can be done in a single sitting if all the equipment is available in the dental office. If an individual has an older tooth, it can take the same time as the filling.
Which Factors Do You Need to Consider When Having Dental Filling?
The majority of dental filling procedures take less than 30 minutes, but the time it can take to apply composite resin filling depends on the cavity’s nature. The following factors can affect the time for a dental filling.
- Location of the Tooth
The tooth’s location can affect how long it takes for your dentist to fill it. If it is a smooth surface or an occlusal cavity, it can occur in a molar. A fissure cavity is deep in the grooves of a molar. If it is a root cavity, it forms below the gum line affecting the cementum layer. Such a cavity can develop quickly so that the filling can take longer.
- Level of Severity
The severity of your cavity can impact the time it takes to apply the filling. There are four layers on the teeth, and filling depends on the layers the tooth decay has progressed through. So, the degree of severity greatly affects the time required for a dental filling.
Dental Fillings for a Healthy Smile in Winston Hills, NSW, Australia
Dental filling has been used in dentistry for decades and is still the most popular dental treatment method. If you want to benefit from dental filling, Winston Hills Family Dental Care offers cutting-edge technology to receive excellent care in a stress-free environment. Whether you have minor fractures, cavities, or cracks in your tooth, we will restore it to its original function with a dental filling.
You can schedule an appointment by calling us today or completing an online form!