ServicesFillings
Dental Fillings in Worcester
A small cavity is one of the simplest problems in dentistry to fix, and fixing it early is how you keep your own tooth. We clear out the decay, rebuild the tooth with a tooth-colored filling, and tell you plainly if a crown would serve you better.
Saving the tooth you already have
A filling replaces the part of a tooth that decay has damaged. We remove the soft, infected material, shape what is left, and seal in a filling that closes the tooth off from new bacteria. Most fillings take one visit, and you leave able to eat and talk normally.
Our first choice is to repair. If a cavity is small or medium, a filling keeps the most natural tooth structure, costs less than the alternatives, and avoids drilling away healthy enamel you will never get back.
Sometimes a filling is not the right fix. When decay or an old filling takes up a large share of the tooth, or a cusp has cracked, the walls left behind can split under chewing. In that case we will show you what we see and explain why a crown may protect the tooth better. You can read more on our Crowns & Bridges page.
What your filling visit includes
A close look and X-rays
We examine the tooth and take X-rays to see how far the cavity has reached. That depth decides whether a filling can do the job or the tooth needs more support.
Numbing that is actually comfortable
We use a numbing gel ahead of the injection and give it time to work fully. If you still feel anything, tell us and we will stop and add more.
Removing only the decay
We take out the damaged material and leave the healthy enamel and dentin alone. Keeping more of the tooth keeps it stronger for the long run.
Tooth-colored material
Composite fillings are matched to your tooth shade and placed in thin layers, each one hardened with a curing light. They blend in when you smile, on front and back teeth alike.
Checking your bite
At the end of the visit, we have you bite on marking paper and smooth any high spots. A filling that sits too high can make the tooth sore for days.
Replacing old fillings when needed
Older fillings can leak or crack at the edges, letting decay creep underneath. We replace them when there is a real problem, not just because they are old.
Signs you may need a filling
A twinge with cold or sweets
Short, sharp sensitivity to ice water, ice cream or candy often means enamel has worn through and a cavity is reaching the softer layer below.
Food catching in one spot
If floss frays or food packs into the same gap after every meal, a cavity or chipped corner may be hiding between two teeth.
Discoloration or a chip
A brown or gray patch, a tiny pit, or a rough corner your tongue keeps returning to deserves a look while it is still small.
Pain when you bite down
Discomfort on chewing can come from a cavity, a cracked filling or a crack in the tooth itself. We will find out which.
An old filling that feels different
A filling that has darkened at the edges, feels rough, or has a gap your tongue can catch may be leaking.
How a filling appointment goes
- 1
We look and talk first
We examine the tooth, review X-rays, and explain what we found. You will know whether we recommend a filling or something else, and why, ahead of any treatment.
- 2
We numb the area
After a numbing gel, we give a gentle injection and wait until the tooth is fully numb. Most patients feel pressure and vibration, not pain.
- 3
We clean and rebuild
We remove the decay, prepare the tooth, and place the filling in layers, hardening each one with a light. A typical filling takes well under an hour.
- 4
We check and polish
We adjust your bite, polish the surface smooth, and let you know what to expect. Some mild sensitivity for a few days is normal; if it lingers, give us a call.
What affects the cost of a filling
Each filling is priced by the tooth and the number of surfaces involved, so we walk you through your treatment plan and its cost ahead of any work. We accept most dental insurance plans, and fillings are usually covered as a basic service. We also offer an Office Dental Plan for patients without insurance, and the CareCredit Patient Payment Plan gives you a financing option.
- Size and number of surfaces
- A filling on one surface of a tooth is simpler than one wrapping around two or three sides. More surfaces means more time and material.
- Which tooth it is
- Back molars are harder to reach and take heavier chewing force, which can add time compared with a front tooth.
- Replacing an old filling
- Taking out an existing filling first adds a step, especially if decay has spread underneath.
- Your insurance plan
- Coverage levels, deductibles and yearly maximums vary from plan to plan. We can help you understand what your plan is likely to pay.
Questions about fillings
Something not covered here? (508) 571-6732
Does getting a filling hurt?
With the tooth properly numb, most people feel pressure and the vibration of the instruments but not pain. We take our time with numbing and check that it has worked. If anything feels sharp, raise your hand and we will stop.
How long will my filling last?
It depends on the size of the filling, where it sits, and habits like grinding or chewing ice. Small fillings on teeth that are brushed and flossed well can last many years. We check your fillings at every exam so problems get fixed while they are still small.
Can I eat after a filling?
The curing light fully hardens a tooth-colored filling, so it can handle food right away. What you need to wait for is the numbness to wear off, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue by accident. For the first day, stick to softer food and skip anything very hard or sticky.
When would you suggest a crown instead?
When a cavity or old filling takes up a large part of the tooth, or a cusp is cracked, a big filling can leave thin walls that break later. We only recommend a crown when the tooth truly needs that support, and we will show you on the X-ray or photos why.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not automatically. If a silver filling is intact and sealed well, it can stay. We suggest replacing one when it is cracked, leaking, or has decay around it, and we will tell you which ones are fine.
Fix a small cavity before it grows
Patients from Worcester, Shrewsbury, Auburn and nearby towns come to us for gentle, straightforward fillings. Give us a call and we will set up a time that fits your week.