Tooth filling is a way to restore teeth that are damaged by cavities back to their normal function and shape. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down.

Firstly, the decayed tooth material is removed; affected area is cleaned, and then depending on the need filled with specific filling material.

A number of factors are taken into account when choosing which type of filling material is best for you. These factors include the extent of the repair required and where in the mouth the filling is needed.

Earlier silver amalgam and gold fillings used to be done. But nowadays, tooth colored composite and various other tooth colored fillings are available.

It generally takes a single appointment for cavity filling and the duration of the appointment is decided by the extent of cavity formed and number of fillings required.

To know whether you would require a tooth filling, look out for presence of sensitivity of teeth, black spots and in some cases a black hole may also be visible.