What's it like having a filling?

Question

I'm pretty sure I need a filling but I've never had one before (I'm 25) and I'm quite scared to be honest!

What's it like actually having a filling done, and how long does it take?

Afterwards, what's it like? How long does it take for the numbness to wear off and is it sore when it does? Does your tooth feel different afterwards?

Thanks!!!

The tooth hurts sometimes, usually when I eat sweet things, and when I look in the mirror I can see a little hole in the top of it.......it's not a huge hole, just over a millimeter in diameter, but I've stuck a pin in it and it seems to be much bigger underneath......so I think it's probably quite a large cavity :o(

Answer 1

getting a filling is really easy now a days. the numbing is easy and usually painless. on upper teeth the numbness lasts about 1-2 hours while the lower takes longer to go away.

basically, the dentist removes the cavity with a handpiece that sprays water- the assistant suctions the water out with a little vacumn type thing - your job is to stay open and be still and usually it takes less than 5 minutes to get the tooth ready for the filling material.

sometimes there are little extra steps depending on how large the cavity is but again, it's nothing for you to be concerned over just stay open and be still so they can work fast!

the tooth doesn't feel different and if it does such as you are biting on it before the other teeth- you need to let your office know so he can adjust the filling.

Answer 2

It's really no big deal to have a filling! You will be at the dentist less than an hour. They will numb your mouth. My dentist usually uses a topical anesthetic on a qtip thing and rubs that on the gum first, then he doesn't use a needle, but a thing called The Wand that's a super fine needle on a cord that doesn't really hurt at all. But it does a great job of numbing. Try to relax, and cooperate as much as you can and it will go much faster. The numbness only lasts an hour or so. You shouldn't have any pain afterwards, although you shouldn't have any chewy food for a bit. You won't even know you have a filling when it's done. Most use white porcelin now so it won't show.

Answer 3

Dental fillings are inserted as restorations in the treatment of dental cavities, after drilling out the cavities. The purpose of drilling is to remove the enamel and dentin that has had its structural integrity compromised by the invasion of acid-producing bacteria. However, once the infected hard tissues have been removed, the resulting cavity preparation must be filled in order to restore structural integrity to the tooth. This will prevent further damage to the tooth and hopefully avoid the eventual need for the tooth to be extracted.
the dentist should take about 15 to 30 minutes to get the restoration done and if the anesthetic is apply in the right nerve you shouldn't feel absolutely anything. Good luck!!!!

Answer 4

i was scared2.
the needle part was my worst fear. i was so suprised when it wasn't so bad.
the drilling makes yr head muzzy but its only a few seconds. take my advise and ask for a white filling so you can't see it.the grey stuff is nasty. looks horrible.
its just pushed in2 the whole. start to finish justs takes bout 5 mins thats all.
the numbness after wears of in about 30 minuites, its weird at first. it doesn't hurt as is goes.
take care not to have a drink too hot, it could scald you and you wont feel it untill the affects have worn off.
your tooth should feel the same, maybe smoother.
hope it goes well for you. bet when it's over you;ll be wondering why you worried!

Answer 5

Hey!

I've had about seven or eight fillings in my life--not that I'm proud of that, but I just know quite a bit about it! :) It honestly just depends on how bad your cavity is. I mean, if it's a little one, it's done in a jiffy and you won't even know it happened. But, if it's a bigger one--moer complicated--then, they might have to put a shot in your gum. That hurts. A lot. But, your gum becomes numb in just a couple minutes, so it's not that bad. Then, they might have to drill some after it gets numb and then they fill it. Those take about 20 minutes, at least, that's how long mine took. Anyway, hope this helps you!

JE

Answer 6

It's kind of weird but nothing you should be scared of. There are some different stages that they have to do. First it feels really cold, then it gets all sandy and then they use a thing to dry it so it's all warm. I had my first filling when I was very young in comparison to your 25 years old. It was maybe 5 or 6 years ago and I'm 16. It really is nothing to be worried about; your dentist should know what he's doing so just sit back and experience your first filling!!!

Answer 7

I just got a silver filling done at 2:00. it takes about 45 mins. to get it in and for the numbness to wear off! Maybe less! Your tooth feels like any other tooth!

Answer 8

i am petrified of the dentist, i mean im 20 and i drive past the dentist and freak out! no im not crazy! but i had to have 2 root filings and no pain at all, numbness for aout 2 hours and its just the noise thats horrible so i would suggest taking ipod,cd player, tape player with you so you dont hear it.my dentist was really patient with me and nice and i had the nerve of my tooth taken out, you think all of that would hurt but no pain. i had the same problem as you (eg when i ate sweet things my tooth hurt and it looked all dark in the tooth, but i didnt even need a filing in that tooth i just needed a thing called a sealant which is like a rubber coating for the tooth takes 2 minutes to do and no pain at all. dont worr go before it gets worse and face your fears, good luck!

Answer 9

I've had 2 fillings when I was about 12 - one in a molar and one in a premolar.

The worst of it I found is the waiting beforehand, and having the dentist's face being so close! He creeps me out, so I tend to shut my eyes! And then when he puts stuff in my mouth he starts talking to me! XD

And the putting all sorts of tools in your mouth and that sucky tube taking out your saliva is annoying as you can't swallow very easily - not so much the drilling or the injections.

If he drills in and you can still feel pain or a dull ache go "augh!" and he will give you even more anaesthetic until you can't feel anything. After that, you just drool a bit, but it should all be okay.

Answer 10

Feels normal, not too weird. I had a small filling done and they didn't numb at all. It's not painful. Powdery stuff tastes really nasty and your mouth will get really dry. Afterwards, they let you rinse your mouth out and then your done.

What I'm scared about is the Root Canal I'm getting ready to have done.