What do fillings look like?

What does a filling look like?

Cleveland Clinic describes the materials this way: amalgam fillings are silver-colored, composite resin and glass ionomer fillings are tooth-colored, gold fillings are gold-colored and porcelain fillings are tooth-colored. Amalgam, composite and glass ionomer are placed directly, and gold and porcelain are made in a lab, so they are indirect fillings. Cleveland Clinic lists amalgam as made from mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc and copper, composite from a resin base with powdered quartz, silica or glass, and porcelain from minerals such as feldspar, quartz and kaolin. In practice a tooth-colored filling can be hard to see, while a silver one shows as a metallic patch on the chewing surface.

What does a cavity filling look like?

A filling usually looks like a smooth patch on the biting surface or side of a tooth, matched in shade if it is tooth-colored. Over time a filling can show a dark edge, a crack or stain around the margin, which a dentist can check. Our guides on cavities explain what the decay looked like before the filling, and a hole you can see with your eye is a reason to book a visit.

What does it look like when a filling falls out?

Healthline's article on a fallen-out filling does not describe the appearance, and Cleveland Clinic's page does not either. Healthline does say a missing filling can expose dentin, the softer layer under the enamel, which can be very sensitive, and that sensitivity to heat or cold or pain in the area is a reason to see a dentist. In general, you may notice a gap or rough edge with your tongue, a visible hole, a sharp edge, a loose piece in your mouth or food catching in the tooth.

How to tell if a filling fell out

Signs include a new hole or rough edge, a piece of material in your mouth, sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet, or pain when you bite. Cleveland Clinic's list of reasons to call includes severe pain medication does not relieve, a swollen face or jaw, and fever or chills, and says to call right away if a filling breaks. Pain when biting may mean the filling affects your bite and can be reshaped, according to Cleveland Clinic.

What to do if a filling falls out

Healthline says to call your dentist right away and say if you are in pain, to keep the filling so the dentist can judge whether it can be reused, and to ask the office how to protect the tooth if you cannot be seen soon. It lists gargling with warm water mixed with half a teaspoon of salt, brushing the area very gently, avoiding chewing on the exposed tooth, covering the spot with dental wax or temporary filling material as a stopgap, and over-the-counter pain relief or a cold compress. Healthline says replace the filling as soon as possible, because bacteria and food can cause decay in the empty space, and if it is not replaced within a few days the tooth may need more extensive work such as a crown, root canal or extraction.

Is it normal for a tooth to be sensitive after a filling?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic says mild tooth sensitivity and gum soreness are normal after a filling and should go away within a week or two, and Healthline says sensitivity should go away within two to four weeks. Persistent or intense pain deserves a call, because a high bite can be adjusted and deeper damage may need a root canal. See our guides on sensitivity and eating after a filling.

How long do fillings last?

The sources we read do not give lifespans, and they vary by material, size and bite. Ask your dentist how long to expect yours to last and how often to check it, and keep brushing and flossing around it, because decay can start at the edge of a filling.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask about the material and what to watch for.

• What is my filling made of, and why was that chosen?
• How will I know if it is failing?
• What should I do if it falls out at night or on a weekend?
• Is the sensitivity I have normal for this filling?
• How often should you check it?

Frequently asked questions