Filling Care
Aftercare and maintenance instructions for dental fillings.
Post-filling care depends on the material. Composite (tooth-colored) fillings are fully set immediately after the light-curing procedure, so normal eating can resume once anesthesia wears off. Amalgam (silver) fillings take 24 hours to fully harden — avoid chewing on that side during this period. Long-term maintenance includes: maintaining excellent oral hygiene (fillings don't prevent recurrent decay at margins), avoiding excessive biting forces on large fillings, and monitoring for signs of failure (sensitivity, sharp edges, visible cracks, food packing). Composite fillings may stain over time, especially from coffee, tea, and tobacco. Annual dental checkups with X-rays detect hidden decay around or under fillings. Average filling longevity is 5-7 years for composite and 10-15 years for amalgam, though many last longer with proper care. When a filling fails, it can often be replaced with a new, larger filling or upgraded to a crown if insufficient tooth structure remains.