If you’re wondering how long it takes to fill a cavity, most appointments are shorter than many patients expect. A single filling is often completed in 20 to 60 minutes, although the exact timing depends on the cavity’s size and location, the filling material, and whether more than one tooth needs treatment. Knowing what happens during the visit can help you plan your day and feel more comfortable before your appointment in Cypress, TX.
How Long Does a Cavity Filling Take?
Quick answer: A single cavity filling can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the size, location and type of filling. Small, shallow cavities can be completed in 20-30 minutes. Of course, more or bigger cavities will take longer, as there will be more preparation and filling time for each tooth added to the appointment.
Depending on the size and location of the cavity and the number of teeth that need treatment, most cavity fillings can be finished in 20 to 60 minutes. The approximate length of a filling appointment is shown below:
What Happens During a Filling Appointment?
A filling appointment isn’t just one single step, it’s a short sequence, and knowing what each part involves makes the whole process feel a lot less mysterious.
Add it up, and most straightforward cases land squarely in that commonly cited 20 to 60 minute range, with the numbing step often taking up more of the appointment than the actual filling itself.
What Affects How Long a Filling Takes?
Cavity Size and Number of Tooth Surfaces
Size is one of the biggest factors in how long does a filling take, since larger cavities will require more decayed material to be removed, and more surface area to be filled.
A cavity that only touches one surface of the tooth, say, just the chewing surface, is quicker to prepare and fill than one that’s spread across two or three surfaces, which requires more careful shaping to restore the tooth’s natural contours.
How Long Does It Take to Fill Two Cavities?
Now that your dentist has identified two cavities in your mouth, you may be wondering how long does it take to fill 2 cavities in one appointment instead of returning for two appointments.
How long does 2 fillings take generally comes down to whether the cavities are on the same side of your mouth, If they are on the same side, your dentist can numb one area and fill multiple teeth in that side without having to numb it again. Sometimes cavities are on opposing sides of the mouth, requiring a double numbing of two different areas. Most Cypress dentists will schedule several cavities into a single appointment if it makes sense, as it saves you the trouble of having to make multiple appointments.
Type of Filling Material
The type of material used by the dentist will affect the setting time of the filling as well as the time needed for the filling to set.
The most popular today is a composite, which is cured almost immediately by a special light, hence its suitability for a single, efficient visit. Porcelain inlays and onlays are an exception here: They are usually made in the lab, so your cavity may require a temporary filling at the first appointment and a second appointment to set the permanent filling when it arrives.
Other Factors That Affect Filling Appointment Time
There are a handful of other considerations that can push your appointment time either earlier or later than just size and material.
- Location of the tooth: The back molars are more difficult to reach than the front teeth, and this may take a couple of minutes for careful positioning and visibility.
- Number of surfaces involved: A cavity that involves more than one surface of a tooth will require more time to shape and fill than a cavity that involves just one surface.
- Whether it’s a replacement filling: If the filling is to be replaced, the time required for removing the old filling and replacing it with a new one is more time-consuming than the initial filling of a cavity.
- Patient comfort and cooperation: If the patient is nervous or a child who requires additional breaks, the appointment will be a little longer.
- Dentist experience and technology: A well-equipped dentist and a well-organized dental assistant will typically be more efficient than a less efficient dentist/assistant combination.
What to Expect During a Cavity Filling at Cypress Towne Dental
The majority of Cypress Towne Dental filling visits are standard. You will check in and your dentist will confirm the tooth and treatment plan based on your exam. Local anesthetic is injected first and will take a few minutes to take effect before any work is done. After the area is numb, the dentist will remove the decayed tooth structure, clean the area, and place layers of filling material, if it is composite, and cure each layer as it is placed. Once the filling is formed, you will take a gentle bite to ensure that there are no high spots, and then it is smoothed over. Most patients leave within an hour, and in many cases, the cavity is a simple one, and they are gone in less.
How Fillings Compare With Other Dental Treatments
When you are looking at fillings, it is important to have a comparison with other regular treatments because in dentistry, a quick is a relative term.
A filling is one of the shorter procedures on the list; in comparison to most other restorative work, which is a good reason to make it a priority to catch a cavity early before it enlarges enough to require a crown, root canal or other more extensive treatment.
When Can You Eat After a Filling?
Composite fillings are instantly hardened with the dental light, and you can usually eat right after the numbness subsides, typically in a couple of hours. With amalgam fillings, it’s important to be a little more careful, and dentists will typically advise against chewing on the side with the filling for the first 24 hours after it was placed, as the filling is still hardening. In any case, do not bite your cheek or tongue while numb as you won’t notice it until the anaesthetic has passed.
Cavity Fillings at Cypress Towne Dental
We at Cypress Towne Dental make cavity treatment easy and comfortable, and provide you with the information you need to know during your visit. Our team will do the following:
- Efficient, comfortable visits: We want to get you in and out as fast as your particular situation will allow, but not at the expense of rushing the important parts.
- Same-visit multiple fillings: If it is convenient, we will combine cavities into one appointment to save you an additional visit.
- Clear timing expectations: We will inform you in advance of approximately the length of your particular appointment, so you can schedule your day.
- Modern materials and technique: They set up fast and look like your natural tooth, so they don’t compromise on your time in the chair or on the results.
Schedule a Cavity Filling in Cypress, TX
If you are overdue for a filling or suspect you may have a cavity, make an appointment with our Cypress, TX team for a filling. We will let you know what your particular appointment will entail.
Final Thoughts
One of the faster, more common dental treatments is filling a cavity, and typically it takes less than an hour to fill just one cavity. Your actual appointment time will depend on a number of factors, including size, location, material and the number of cavities being treated, but even a number of fillings at once rarely last more than two hours. The best way to enter into an appointment with less fear of the unknown is to know what to expect.
Don’t delay treatment for a cavity; the smaller the cavity, the less time the appointment will take and the easier the treatment will be. Reach out to schedule your visit, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to fill a cavity?
The time it takes to fill a cavity varies based on the material used, the location and the size of the cavity and is typically between 20 and 60 minutes. Those holes are usually small and shallow, and are on the high end of that range.
How long does a filling take overall, including numbing?
From numbing through polishing, a typical single-tooth appointment runs about 30 to 60 minutes total, with numbing itself taking up roughly 10 to 15 minutes of that time.
How long does it take to fill 2 cavities in one visit?
Two cavities in one visit will take 45 to 75 minutes, particularly if both cavities are on the same side of the mouth and can be numbed at the same time.
How long does 2 fillings take if the cavities are on opposite sides of the mouth?
This may take a little longer, as two areas may take a little longer than two cavities that are close together.
Does the type of filling material change how long the procedure takes?
Yes. Inlays or onlays are made in a lab, and typically require two visits, whereas composite resin cures almost instantly under a dental light.
Can I eat right after getting a cavity filled?
Yes, with composite fillings, after the numbness subsides, which typically takes a couple of hours. With amalgam fillings, it’s best to wait about 24 hours before chewing on that side.
Is getting a cavity filled painful?
No, the area is made completely numb before they start any drilling, so the drilling is not uncomfortable. It is normal to be sensitive for one or two days after.
