Dental Fillings & Tooth Repairs

What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are a standard restorative procedure used to repair teeth damaged by cavities or cracks. A filling restores the tooth’s structure, function, and strength while preventing further decay.

Types of Dental Fillings
At Tara Shine Dental clinic in Ameerpet, Hyderabad, we provide different types of fillings based on individual needs:

• Composite (tooth-colored) fillings – blend naturally with your teeth.

• Glass ionomer fillings – release fluoride, often used in children’s teeth.

When are Dental Fillings Needed & What are the Benefits?
A filling is recommended if you have:

• Cavities or tooth decay

• Chipped, cracked, or worn teeth

• Gaps caused by tooth wear or grinding

Benefits include: restoring tooth strength, stopping decay from spreading, preventing infection, and maintaining a natural-looking smile.

What Happens During the Dental Filling Procedure?
At Tara Shine Dental, we follow a careful, step-by-step approach to ensure your filling is both effective and comfortable:

1. Examination & X-rays – The dentist begins with a thorough check-up, sometimes using digital X-rays to identify the exact location and depth of decay.

2. Local Anesthesia – The area around the tooth is numbed to make the procedure pain-free.

3. Decay Removal – Using specialized instruments, the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth is removed gently while preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible.

4. Cleaning & Shaping – The cavity is cleaned of bacteria and debris, then shaped to securely hold the filling.

5. Filling Placement – The material chosen for the filling (composite, silver, ceramic, or glass ionomer) is placed inside the cavity in layers. For composite fillings, curing light is used to harden each layer.

6. Shaping & Polishing – Once the filling is placed, it is shaped and polished for a smooth, natural-looking finish.

This entire process usually takes 20–45 minutes per tooth, depending on the size and type of filling.

Is it Painful?
With modern anaesthesia, dental fillings are quick and virtually painless procedures. Patients usually feel only mild sensitivity afterwards.

Recovery After a Dental Filling
Most patients return to normal activities immediately. There may be mild sensitivity to cold or hot foods, which typically lasts a few days but resolves quickly.

Can I Eat After a Filling?
Yes, but it depends on the type of filling. Composite fillings harden instantly, allowing you to eat soon after the procedure. For silver (amalgam) fillings, it’s best to wait a few hours to allow them to set correctly.

At Tara Shine Dental, led by Dr. T.K. Shyamilee, we ensure dental fillings are safe, comfortable, and long-lasting—helping you maintain a strong, healthy smile.