A filling repairs a tooth where decay or a small break has removed part of the surface. The cavity is cleaned out, the tooth is reshaped to receive the filling, and a tooth-coloured composite material is placed, set, and polished. The tooth keeps its function and its shape.
Most cavities catch people by surprise. A small dark line on a tooth, a fleck of food that sticks in the same place each time, a brief sensitivity to cold or sweet, sometimes nothing at all. Decay can develop quietly. By the time a tooth hurts, the problem has usually been growing for months.
At our Mohali clinic, fillings are one of the most common appointments we see. We do them carefully, in tooth-coloured composite, and we replace older silver fillings only when there is a clinical reason to. The aim is always to keep as much of the natural tooth as possible.
When a filling is needed
A filling is appropriate when a tooth has lost a limited amount of structure. This includes small to moderate cavities, chipped edges, worn surfaces from grinding, and sometimes the replacement of an older filling that has begun to leak. The remaining tooth must be strong enough to hold the filling and to function normally afterwards.
A filling is not the right answer when a tooth has lost too much structure to support one. If the cavity extends close to the nerve, if a wall of the tooth has fractured away, or if the tooth is already heavily filled, a crown or root canal treatment may be needed instead. We will tell you plainly if that is the case, and we will not place a filling in a tooth where it is unlikely to last.
When a filling can wait, and when it should not
Some early decay can be watched rather than filled immediately. Very small surface lesions, especially on smooth surfaces with good cleaning habits, can sometimes be remineralised with fluoride and time. This is not common, but it is real. A cavity that is causing no symptoms, that is not progressing, and that is being monitored at regular check-ups is not always an emergency. We will not fill a tooth simply because we have noticed a stain.
What should not wait: a tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold for more than a few seconds, a tooth that hurts when you bite on it, a visible hole in the tooth, food repeatedly catching in the same gap, or a filling that has fallen out or feels loose. These usually mean the problem has moved past the easy stage.
How we approach fillings at our Mohali clinic
We perform fillings in-house at our Mohali clinic. The clinic has been treating fillings, both straightforward and complex, since 1997, and the approach has stayed consistent: take the time to remove only what needs removing, place the material carefully, and shape the filling so the bite feels right when you walk out.
For complex cases that benefit from specialist input, Dr Aman coordinates with visiting specialist consultants who treat patients here at the clinic. This keeps your treatment continuous, with one familiar team, one clinical record, and no shuttling between practices.
We use tooth-coloured composite for almost all new fillings. It bonds to the tooth, it does not require the dentist to remove healthy tooth structure to create a mechanical undercut, and it looks like a tooth. Silver amalgam is no longer the default for restorative work in modern dentistry.
What to expect at your appointment
A filling appointment usually takes between thirty and sixty minutes, depending on the size of the cavity and the tooth involved.
- An examination of the tooth, with X-rays if needed to see the full extent of the cavity.
- Local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding gum. Most patients feel only the small pinch of the injection.
- Removal of the decay using a slow handpiece and small instruments.
- Cleaning and shaping of the cavity, then placement of the tooth-coloured composite in layers.
- Setting each layer with a curing light.
- Shaping and polishing the filling so it matches the tooth surface and feels right when you bite together.
- A short check of your bite, with adjustments if anything feels high.
Afterwards the tooth may feel slightly tender or sensitive for a day or two. This usually settles on its own. If sensitivity continues for more than a week, or if biting on the tooth is uncomfortable, the bite may need a small adjustment. Call the clinic and we will see you.
Common questions before treatment
Many patients ask whether tooth-coloured fillings last as long as silver ones. In a tooth that has been prepared and bonded properly, yes. Composite fillings in normal use can last ten to fifteen years or more. The bigger factor is usually the size and depth of the original cavity, not the material.
Patients also ask whether the procedure will hurt. Modern local anaesthetic, used carefully, makes the procedure painless for the large majority of people. The only common discomfort is the brief pinch of the injection itself. If you are nervous, tell us before we start. We will work at the pace you need.
Another frequent concern is whether an old silver filling should be replaced with a tooth-coloured one for cosmetic reasons. We will replace it only if there is a clinical reason: leakage, recurrent decay underneath, a fracture, or significant wear. Replacing a sound filling removes more tooth structure than is needed, and that is rarely the right choice.
A note on cost and timelines
Cost depends on the size of the cavity, the tooth involved, the number of fillings being done in one visit, and the type of composite used. A single small filling and a large multi-surface filling on a back molar are different procedures. For a clear plan and an honest estimate, send us an X-ray or come in for a consultation and we will go through what your case actually needs.
For NRI patients planning a visit home and hoping to combine treatment, please get in touch a few weeks before you travel. We will look at your X-rays, plan the appointments around your time in Mohali, and confirm what can realistically be done in the days you have.