A twinge with sweets, cold or heat
A short sharp feeling that fades is a common early sign.
Dental fillings, Boise
Dental fillings in Boise: repair a cavity or a lost filling, usually in one visit.
A filling rebuilds a tooth that has a cavity, a chip or a worn spot, using tooth-coloured resin. Most fillings are done in one visit. A filling that fell out is not always an emergency, but the tooth underneath is exposed, so call us soon.
- One visitis usual for a single filling
- Tooth-colouredresin that matches the shade of your tooth
- Numbedso you feel pressure, not pain, during the work
The visit
How a filling is done, step by step.
-
01
Exam and X-ray
We confirm the cavity, check how deep it goes and look at the teeth around it.
-
02
Numbing
A local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and the gum. You stay awake and the area stays numb for a few hours.
-
03
Removing the decay
The dentist cleans out the decayed part of the tooth and shapes the space.
-
04
Placing the resin
The tooth-coloured resin goes in layer by layer and is set with a blue light.
-
05
Shaping and bite check
We shape the filling, check your bite and polish it. If the bite feels high later, we adjust it.
Signs
Signs a tooth may need a filling.
A cavity can cause no pain at first. This is why check-ups matter.
Food catches in the same spot
A rough edge, a gap or a hole where food keeps getting stuck.
A dark spot or small hole
Visible on the chewing surface or between teeth.
A filling feels loose or gone
A rough or missing filling needs a look before the tooth is damaged further.
No signs at all
Many cavities are found at a check-up or on an X-ray before they hurt.
Resin
What a tooth-coloured filling is, and what to expect afterwards.
Resin is a tooth-coloured material that bonds to the tooth. We use it because it matches your teeth and lets us keep more of the healthy tooth than older methods. It is not for every tooth. A large cavity or a cracked tooth may need a crown instead, and the dentist tells you which.
The numbness wears off in a few hours, so avoid chewing on that side until it does. A tooth can feel sensitive to cold for a few days after a filling. If it is still sore after a week, or your bite feels high, call us and we adjust it.
- Avoid chewing until the numbness is gone
- Mild sensitivity can follow for a few days
- Call us if the bite feels high or pain continues
- Keep up with brushing, flossing and check-ups
Filling or crown
When a filling is enough, and when a crown is better.
| The tooth | Often suits a filling | Often suits a crown |
|---|---|---|
| Small or medium cavity | Yes | Not usually |
| A lost old filling, tooth mostly intact | Yes | Sometimes |
| A large cavity or a thin wall of tooth left | Sometimes | Often |
| A cracked tooth | Rarely | Often |
| A tooth that has had a root canal | No | Usually |
Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth and the gum are numbed first, so you feel pressure and vibration, not pain. Tell us if you feel anything sharp and we numb more. Some soreness afterwards is normal and fades.
How long does a filling take?
A single filling usually takes under an hour. A larger one, or several in the same visit, takes longer. We tell you at the start how long to plan for.
My filling fell out. Is that an emergency?
It is not usually an emergency, but the tooth underneath is exposed. Call us the same day if it hurts. If it does not, call within a day or two, and avoid chewing on that side.
Why do you use tooth-coloured fillings?
They match your teeth and let us keep more of the healthy tooth. They suit most cavities. For a large cavity, the dentist may suggest a crown instead.
How long does a filling last?
It depends on its size, where it is, and how you bite and clean. Many last for years, and the dentist checks them at each exam. Results vary.
Will insurance cover a filling?
Many plans cover part of a filling. We check your coverage and give you a written estimate before we start. We work with most major PPO plans.
Boise, Idaho
Tooth problem? Tell us now.
Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot for you. After that, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.
| Monday to Thursday | 7:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 7:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, emergency visits only |
| Sunday | Closed |
Call 911 for severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury.