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Dental Fillings

A look at how dental fillings stop cavities and make your teeth look nicer after cavity repair. Find out more.

Dental Fillings Are Standard for Cavities

One of the best and most affordable ways to stop a cavity from growing and repairing the damage it causes is with a dental filling. Dental fillings are placed into a cavity to prevent bacteria from re-entering and restore the tooth to its natural appearance.
Curing light hardening a tooth-coloured filling

The History of Dental Fillings

The use of dental fillings dates back 13,000 years, to when bitumen was used. Civilizations used beeswax with the silver-tin paste coming into vogue during the Tang Dynasty in China around 659 AD.

At Versante Dental in Mississauga, Ontario, our dental fillings include the latest technology. Silver or gold dental fillings still exist, but today they are primarily made from a composite resin, glass, or porcelain that looks like the natural tooth in shape and colour.  Being able to restore a tooth to its natural look after a cavity is one way we encourage patients to seek dental care early.

Much Safer Dental Fillings

A few decades ago, dentists used silver amalgam as dental fillings. They were effective but contained traces of mercury. The amounts were deemed safe but have since fallen under scrutiny. Composite materials contain no mercury and are considered much safer than dental fillings of the past. They are also durable and provide for full chewing function, making them a solid choice for repairing teeth after a cavity.

The Dental Filling Procedure

Installing a dental filling is routine at Versante Dental. It is minimally invasive and causes only mild discomfort. The procedure generally follows this routine:
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The dentist or hygienist applies a topical numbing medicine to the gum around the tooth to be filled. This numbs the gum so you don’t have pain with the injection.

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A local anaesthetic injection is administered, numbing the area so you don’t feel the work being done. You will feel pressure.

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The dentist will first use tools to clean out the cavity. You may hear a drill, an air-abrasion tool, or a laser. You may feel and hear scraping, or see some dust in the air around the work area. The area will be rinsed and vacuumed out by a hygienist.

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The dentist then inserts the dental filling in layers. A curing light hardens it.

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The dentist removes excess composite filling material from the tooth and shapes it to match the contours of your tooth. They finish by polishing it.

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The final step is to perform a bite check. The dentist has you bite on a piece of special paper. The dentist may look at your tooth again and reshape it further to align your bite better.

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Correct Your Cavities

Cavities do not heal themselves. You need a dentist to clean and sanitize the area around the cavity and insert a dental filling. Otherwise, a cavity will eventually cause tooth pain. Call or schedule an appointment online today to stop a cavity and restore your tooth!
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FAQ

What are symptoms of a cavity?
Some classic cavity symptoms are tooth pain, white or dark spots on teeth, roughness on a tooth, and tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
How long does a dental filling take?
Installing a dental filling normally takes between 30 minutes and an hour, but it could take longer depending on the case.
How long will fillings last?
Dental fillings can last anywhere from 5 years to 30 years depending on the material used. Gold fillings are the most durable, and glass ionomer fillings have the shortest lifespan. Composite fillings typically last 5 to 10 years.
Are fillings expensive?
Some are. Gold fillings can be costly, but other types like ceramic, composite, or glass fillings are less expensive.