Exact Answer: 20 Minutes – 1 Hour
A filling is a treatment modality that is done to restore missing tooth structure that is a result of natural decay or external injury. Dental fillings are also required for repairing broken or cracked teeth. Dental fillings not only help in filling the gap but also protects it from further decay.
A dental filling is suitable only for minor fractures and decay. If a person has tooth decay, it is highly advised to get a tooth filling as soon as possible. If the patient is not treated immediately, then the enamel starts decaying slowly and exposes the dentin.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Filling?
Several symptoms indicate the requirement of getting a dental filling. A dentist conducts an oral examination and decides whether a filling is required or not. Some of the significant symptoms include holes in a tooth, dark spots on the tooth, chipped or broken tooth, cavities, sensitivity, and a few others. Various types of dental fillings and the condition of decay are critical for deciding which type of filling is required.
Metals such as gold and silver are used in metal fillings, and they last for 10-15 years. An amalgam filling is another kind of filling and is made up of a combination of several metals. Simultaneously, if a person doesn’t want the filling to get noticed quickly, a composite filling is done as it has the same color as your tooth. Medical professionals advise going for ceramic filling for significant decays as this filling lasts for a very long time.
| Amount Of Decay | Time Taken For Filling |
| Decay in only one tooth | Approximately 20 minutes |
| Decay in at most three-tooth | About half an hour |
| Deacy in multiple areas | About an hour |
There are two types of filling, namely direct filling, and indirect filling. Metal fillings and Amalgam fillings fall under the category of Direct filling. Direct fillings are completed in a single dental appointment. At the same time, Indirect fillings take more than one appointment. Decay in only one tooth takes only twenty minutes. If at most three tooths are decayed, then the filling will last for half an hour. On the other hand, treatment of decay at multiple spots goes for an hour-long.
Why Does It Take That Long To Get A Filling?
A filling is not a very painful procedure; that’s why it doesn’t take a lot of time. However, patients with sensitive teeth might feel a bit of pain while getting a dental filling. The area of decay also plays a significant role in deciding the time taken to get a filling. Molars are located deep inside the mouth, and it is not easy to fill gaps in such parts. Alternatively, if there is a decay in any of the incisors, then the filling won’t take long.
Sometimes there is a decay in a complete section of the mouth, and multiple appointments are required to treat such patients. A filling is advised to such patients whose dentin gets exposed because of the cavity. Doctors most use anesthesia before applying a filler to the affected area. A decay may cause toothaches, continuous pain while eating or drinking, tooth sensitivity, and a few others.
Grey, brown, or black spots are noticed in the area of decay. If the deterioration is very significant and a complete section of the mouth has cavities, then the filling procedure will be quite long. It is advised to brush your teeth daily at least twice. Fillings are also helpful in controlling the spread of decay any further. The patient might feel a bit of soreness in the area where the filling is applied.
Conclusion
Teeth are one of the most crucial body parts, and it is essential to give proper care to them. Negligence results in decay or cavity, and a filling is used to treat it. If a filling is not applied immediately to the affected area, then the decay starts spreading.
Various types of fillings are available, and the amount of decay is the deciding factor while choosing the filling. On average, a filling takes twenty minutes to an hour and the exact time depends on the decay amount. It is advised to brush the teeth daily to maintain oral hygiene.