Signs you may need a filling
Early tooth decay often has no symptoms, which is why checkups find most cavities first.
- A twinge with cold, hot or sweet food
- A dark spot, or a hole you can feel with your tongue
- Pain when you bite on one tooth
- Food catching in the same place every time
- An old filling that is chipped, cracked or worn
How a filling is done at Kingston Smiles
- Exam and X-rays. Dr. Sayeed checks the size of the cavity.
- Numbing. The tooth is numbed if needed; small, shallow cavities sometimes don’t need it.
- Removing the decay. Only the damaged part of the tooth is removed.
- Filling and shaping. Composite matched to your tooth shade is placed in layers and shaped to your bite.
- Setting and polishing. A blue light hardens each layer, then the tooth is polished smooth.
How long does a filling take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. You can eat once the numbness wears off.
Tooth-colored or metal fillings?
Kingston Smiles NY places tooth-colored composite fillings. Many patients also ask us to replace old metal ones.
| Tooth-colored composite | Metal (amalgam) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Matched to your tooth | Silver-grey, darkens over time |
| How it holds | Bonds to the tooth | Held in by the shape of the cavity |
| Tooth removed | Less | More, to lock the filling in |
| Contains metal or mercury | No | Yes |
Old metal fillings that are sound don’t have to be replaced. Dr. Sayeed recommends it when one is cracked, leaking or has decay around it.
After your filling
How long do fillings last?
Often 5 to 10 years or more. Brushing, flossing, fewer sugary snacks and regular checkups help, and a night guard protects fillings if you grind your teeth.
When is a crown better than a filling?
When a cavity is so large that the filling would be bigger than the tooth around it. Read when you need a crown.
What if a filling falls out?
Call 845-336-5855 and keep the area clean. See what to do in a dental emergency.
How much does a filling cost?
The cost depends on how big the filling is and which tooth it’s on. You get the cost before treatment starts.
- Insurance: most dental plans pay a large share of a filling needed because of decay. We work with CSEA and Kingston Trust Fund plans and most PPO plans, and check your benefits before your visit.
- Spreading the cost: CareCredit and Cherry let you pay over time for larger treatment.
Dental filling questions
Patients come to us from Kingston, Port Ewen, Lake Katrine, Hurley, Saugerties, Woodstock and across Ulster County.
Does getting a filling hurt?
Usually not. The tooth is numbed first, so most patients feel only pressure. It may be a little sensitive for a day or two.
Can I eat after a filling?
Yes, as soon as the numbness wears off, so you don’t bite your cheek. Composite fillings are fully hard when you leave.
What is the healthiest type of filling?
Composite resin is metal-free and mercury-free, and it bonds to the tooth, so less healthy tooth needs to be removed.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
Not once it has become a hole. Very early enamel damage can sometimes be reversed with fluoride. Read more about tooth decay.
