The quick answer
A straightforward filling on a single tooth typically takes twenty to forty minutes from the moment you sit in the chair, with the actual drilling and filling part lasting only ten to fifteen minutes. The rest of the appointment is the anaesthetic taking effect, plus shaping and polishing at the end. Larger cavities, cavities between teeth, or multiple fillings in one visit can extend the appointment to around an hour. Below is a full walkthrough of what happens minute by minute, what affects the timing, and how to make the whole visit as comfortable as possible.
What affects how long a filling takes
- Size and depth of the cavity: A small surface cavity is quick; a deep one close to the nerve needs more careful work and sometimes a protective lining.
- Location of the tooth: Front teeth are usually faster. Back molars and cavities between teeth are harder to reach and take longer.
- Number of surfaces involved: Dentists count the surfaces of the tooth being repaired — a one-surface filling is the quickest, while a tooth needing work on three or four surfaces takes notably longer.
- Type of filling material: Composite (tooth-coloured) fillings are built up in layers, each hardened with a special light, which adds a few minutes compared to amalgam.
- Your comfort and cooperation: If you are relaxed and can keep your mouth open steadily, everything goes faster. Anxiety, gagging or needing extra anaesthetic adds time.
- Whether it is a first filling or a replacement: Removing an old, failing filling before placing a new one adds ten to fifteen minutes.
What happens step by step (and how long each part takes)
1. Examination and X-rays (5–10 minutes)
Your dentist confirms the cavity with a visual check and usually an X-ray, which shows how deep the decay goes. If this is your first visit for the problem, this step may have happened at an earlier appointment.
2. Numbing the area (5–10 minutes)
A numbing gel is dabbed on the gum first so you barely feel the injection, then local anaesthetic is administered near the tooth. The dentist waits several minutes for full numbness before starting — this waiting period is a big chunk of the appointment time, and it is why a filling feels much longer than the drilling actually is. If you are worried about this part, read our guide on managing nerves before a dental visit from the Oral Health Foundation.
3. Removing the decay (5–15 minutes)
Once you are numb, the dentist uses a drill or laser to remove the decayed portion of the tooth, then cleans the cavity thoroughly. You will feel vibration and hear the drill, but you should feel no pain — just pressure. Tell your dentist immediately if you feel sharpness; they can top up the anaesthetic in seconds.
4. Placing the filling (5–15 minutes)
The cleaned cavity is filled in layers. For composite fillings, each layer is shaped and hardened with a blue curing light. Amalgam fillings are packed in and carved to shape. The dentist then checks your bite, asking you to bite down on special paper to find any high spots.
5. Polishing (2–5 minutes)
The filling is smoothed and polished so it feels natural against your tongue and does not catch food. This finishing step is what makes a good filling invisible and comfortable.
Does getting a filling hurt?
This is the question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is: the injection stings briefly, but the filling itself should not hurt at all. Modern anaesthetics are very effective, and the numbing gel applied beforehand takes the edge off the injection. Most people describe the main sensations as vibration, pressure and the odd taste of water from the drill — unpleasant, but not painful.
After the anaesthetic wears off (usually two to four hours later), the tooth may feel tender or sensitive to hot and cold for a few days. This is normal and settles on its own. Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen handle it well for most people. Our article on how long dental numbing lasts and what to expect from the NHS explains the recovery timeline in more detail.
Types of fillings and their time differences
- Composite (white) fillings: Tooth-coloured, built up in layers. Take slightly longer (an extra five minutes or so) but look completely natural. The standard choice for visible teeth.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings: A mix of metals, very durable and quicker to place. Mostly used for back molars now, and less common than they once were.
- Glass ionomer fillings: Release fluoride, often used for children’s teeth or cavities near the gum line. Quick to place and set chemically without a curing light.
- Gold or ceramic inlays: Made in a lab from a mould of your tooth, so they need two appointments. Rare for simple cavities, but extremely long-lasting.
Your dentist will recommend the best material for the tooth’s position and the size of the cavity — for most routine fillings, composite is the default.
How to make your filling appointment easier
- Eat beforehand: Your mouth will be numb for hours afterwards, so have a proper meal before you go.
- Arrive a little early: Rushing raises anxiety. Give yourself ten calm minutes in the waiting room.
- Bring headphones: Music or a podcast masks the sound of the drill, which is what most people find unsettling.
- Agree a stop signal: Raise your hand if you need a break. Knowing you are in control makes a huge difference.
- Breathe through your nose: Slow, steady nasal breathing keeps you relaxed and reduces gagging.
- Do not watch the clock: Appointments feel twice as long when you are counting minutes. Let the dentist work.
Aftercare: the first 24 hours
- Do not eat until the numbness wears off completely — you can easily bite your cheek or tongue without realising.
- Stick to soft, lukewarm foods for the first day: yoghurt, soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potato.
- Avoid very hot, very cold or very sweet foods if the tooth feels sensitive.
- Do not chew hard foods (nuts, ice, crusty bread) on the filled tooth for a day or two.
- Brush and floss normally, but be gentle around the new filling for the first day.
Mild sensitivity to temperature for up to two weeks is normal, especially with deep fillings. It should gradually improve, not get worse.
When to call the dentist after a filling
- Your bite feels uneven or the filling feels too high after the numbness wears off.
- Sharp pain when biting that does not settle within a week.
- Sensitivity that gets worse rather than better after two weeks.
- Part of the filling feels rough, cracked or missing.
- Swelling, throbbing pain or a bad taste, which can signal infection.
Most of these are quick fixes — a high filling, for example, takes the dentist two minutes to adjust. Do not suffer in silence or wait for your next check-up.
FAQs
Can I get multiple fillings done in one appointment?
Yes, and it is often more efficient. Two or three small fillings in one visit usually take forty-five minutes to an hour. Your dentist will suggest this if the cavities are on the same side of the mouth, so only one area needs numbing.
How long do fillings last?
Composite fillings typically last five to ten years, amalgam ten to fifteen. Good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and avoiding chewing ice or hard sweets extend their life considerably.
Will I need time off work?
Almost never. Most people go straight back to work after a filling — you just cannot eat comfortably until the numbness fades. Book a morning appointment and you will be fine by lunchtime.
What happens if I leave a cavity untreated?
Decay keeps spreading. A small filling becomes a large filling, then potentially a root canal or extraction — each step more expensive, more time-consuming and more uncomfortable. Treating it early is always the easier option.
Are white fillings as strong as silver ones?
Modern composites are strong enough for most teeth, including molars, though amalgam still has a slight edge in very large back-tooth cavities. Your dentist will advise based on the specific tooth.
When to see a dentist urgently
Book an urgent appointment if you have severe toothache that painkillers do not control, swelling in the face or gum, a filling that has fallen out and left a sharp edge, or signs of infection such as fever or a bad taste in the mouth. These can escalate quickly, so do not wait for a routine slot.
