If you have a dental cavity, it’s important to get it filled as soon as possible. This is one of the most common procedures that dentists perform, and thankfully, it’s also fairly quick and painless. But how long does a filling take, you might ask? The answer to this question depends on a few factors, but in general, a filling takes about an hour.
Before beginning the procedure, your dentist will first numb the tooth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic. After numbing the area, the dentist will begin to remove the damaged portions of your tooth. They will then clean the inside of your tooth, and then they will fill it with a filling material that is ideal for your tooth type.
After putting in the filling, your dentist will polish it to smoothen the surface and to make sure there are no sharp edges that could harm your tongue or cheek lining. Your dentist will also check your bite to ensure that the filling is positioned correctly.
The type of filling that you choose will also affect how long the procedure takes. For example, amalgam fillings set weakly and can take up to 1 hour to be at full strength, whereas composite or glass ionomer fillings typically set quickly. As a result, they can sometimes be completed in less than 30 minutes. If you have multiple cavities that need to be filled, your dentist may recommend that you spread out the treatment over several visits.