Dental Fillings Archives

Navy and gold tooth icons comparing a dental filling with a protective crown

When Does a Tooth Need a Crown Instead of a Filling?

Opening summary: If you have been told that a tooth needs a crown, it is reasonable to ask why another filling will not work. A filling repairs a limited area when enough healthy tooth remains to support it. A crown surrounds a tooth that has been we... Read More

Navy and gold line icon of a filled tooth surrounded by renewal arrows on a light gray background.

Why Old Fillings Eventually Need to Be Replaced

Opening summary: Dental fillings do not have a universal expiration date. An older filling may need replacement if it fractures, develops an open margin, no longer supports the tooth, or has decay around or beneath it. Other fillings remain stable fo... Read More

Navy and gold paired tooth icons comparing cosmetic bonding and a dental filling

Tooth Bonding vs. Dental Fillings

Opening summary: Bonding and tooth-colored fillings can look very similar because both may use composite resin. The difference is usually why the material is being placed. A filling repairs decay or structural damage so a tooth can stay healthy and f... Read More

Navy and gold tooth icons representing different cavity locations on a light gray background

The Different Types of Cavities and How They’re Treated

Opening summary: A cavity is not always the obvious dark hole people picture. Decay can begin in a deep chewing groove, hide between two teeth, develop on an exposed root, or form beside an older filling or crown. Where it starts and how far it has p... Read More

Illustration of a filled tooth with a snowflake and pulse representing sensitivity after a filling.

Why Is My Tooth Sensitive After a Filling?

Opening summary: It can be unsettling to have a tooth feel different after you just had it repaired. Mild sensitivity to cold, air, sweets, or pressure can occur for a short time after a filling and should generally improve. If the tooth is getting m... Read More

Tooth with a displaced filling beside a clock illustration

Lost Filling: What to Do Until You Can See a Dentist

Opening summary: If a filling falls out, call a dentist, keep the area clean, and avoid chewing hard, sticky, very hot, or very cold foods on that tooth. A lost filling leaves weakened or exposed tooth structure unprotected, even when it does not hur... Read More