How long does it take to get a filling?

How long a filling appointment takes

Healthline says a simple filling can take as little as 20 minutes and that a standard filling is typically an hour or less. Larger or multiple fillings take longer. The time includes numbing the tooth, removing the decay, placing and shaping the material, and checking your bite, and Cleveland Clinic lists the same steps: local anesthetic, removal of damaged or decayed tissue, filling the space, curing a composite with a light, polishing and a bite check.

What changes how long it takes

Healthline names the main factors, and the type of material is one of the biggest.

• Material and whether a lab is needed: composite resin is placed in layers and is usually finished in one visit, while some composite restorations made from an impression need a second visit to bond.
• Size and number of fillings: more surfaces or more teeth means more time.
• Whether an old filling must be removed: a replacement takes about the same time as the original, sometimes longer if the old material must be drilled out.
• Anesthesia or sedation: children under five may need anesthesia or nitrous oxide, which adds time.

Inlays, onlays and other lab-made fillings

Cleveland Clinic describes indirect fillings as made in a lab, usually over two visits, although some can be made in one visit with computer-aided technology. Healthline says gold or porcelain inlays and onlays can be done in one visit if the office has the equipment, and otherwise take multiple visits. If your dentist suggests one of these, ask how many visits to expect.

How long a filling takes to set

Setting time is different from appointment time. Healthline says composite and glass ionomer are light-cured in thin layers, about two to twenty seconds per layer, and ceramic sets almost immediately under blue light. Amalgam is weak after about an hour and reaches full strength after about 24 hours, so hard foods should wait.

That is why timing for eating differs by material. Our guide on eating after a filling covers when to chew.

How long do fillings last?

The sources give different ranges, which is worth knowing before you decide when to replace one. Healthline gives amalgam as 5 to 25 years, composite as 5 to 15 years and gold as 15 to 20 years, and says actual lifespan depends on oral hygiene and individual factors. Cleveland Clinic says fillings can last up to 20 years depending on the material, with a typical range of 10 to 20 years.

Treat these as ranges, not promises. A filling that is large, has decay forming around it, or sits on a tooth that you grind or clench may not last as long.

Signs a filling needs attention

Cleveland Clinic lists a throbbing toothache, which may mean decay has reached the pulp and a root canal may be needed, pain when biting, which may mean the filling affects your bite and needs reshaping, and pain that lingers after hot or cold contact, which may indicate nerve damage. Decay also commonly forms at the edges of old fillings, according to ADA MouthHealthy, so regular checkups and X-rays catch problems early.

Planning your visit

Ask the office how long to book, which material is planned, whether one visit or two is expected, and whether sedation is needed. If you are anxious, tell the dentist so they can plan around it. Afterwards, wait for the numbness to fade before eating, which Healthline says usually takes one to three hours.

Frequently asked questions