Crown or onlay
More suitable when the tooth needs stronger protection.
Dental fillings
A dental filling may repair decay, a small chip, a lost filling or a worn area when enough healthy tooth remains.
Is a filling enough to fix this tooth?
Fillings are useful for repairing smaller areas of decay, wear or breakage. They are not always the best choice for teeth that are cracked, heavily filled, nerve-involved or structurally weak.
- Start with the problem that made dental fillings seem relevant.
- The dentist checks whether the treatment fits the tooth, gums, bite, timing and alternatives.
- If there are simpler, staged or no-treatment options, those should be discussed before you decide.
Assessment steps for dental fillings
- Check the size, depth and position of decay, wear, chip or lost filling.
- Assess nerve symptoms, cracks, bite pressure and whether enough healthy tooth remains.
- Decide whether a direct filling is durable or whether stronger protection is needed.
When this treatment may be appropriate
- Decay or breakage is limited and enough healthy tooth remains.
- A lost or broken filling can be replaced predictably.
- The tooth nerve and bite are stable enough for a direct repair.
When it may not be the right treatment
- The tooth is too weak for another filling to last.
- Pain, infection or nerve involvement needs treatment first.
- A crack or large fracture needs stronger protection.
Who may benefit
- Patients who need a conservative repair.
- Smaller chips, cavities or lost filling areas.
- Teeth where preserving sound tooth structure matters.
Suitability checks before dental fillings
- Whether decay or fracture is limited enough for a direct repair.
- Whether pain suggests nerve involvement rather than a simple cavity or chip.
- Whether old filling history or bite load makes another filling unreliable.
Alternatives to consider
Root canal treatment
Considered when the nerve is inflamed or infected and the tooth can be saved.
Monitoring
Sometimes early or stable changes can be monitored with prevention.
Options to compare before dental fillings
Filling vs crown
A filling is more conservative for smaller defects; a crown may be more predictable when the tooth is weak or cracked.
Filling vs monitoring
Early or inactive changes may be monitored when the surface is stable and prevention can reduce risk.
Filling vs root canal treatment
A filling repairs tooth structure, but nerve inflammation or infection may need root canal treatment before restoration.
How we decide
How we decide
- Size and location of the defect.
- Remaining tooth strength and old restoration history.
- Nerve symptoms, decay depth and bite pressure.
Pricing and complexity factors
What can affect pricing and complexity
- Size, depth and number of surfaces involved.
- Whether decay removal reveals cracks, nerve proximity or weak tooth structure.
- Whether the tooth needs isolation, build-up or a different restoration instead.
What to expect
What to expect
- Assessment of the tooth and surrounding area.
- Removal of damaged material where needed.
- Placement and shaping of the filling so the tooth feels comfortable to bite on.
Recovery and maintenance
Recovery and maintenance expectations
- Short-term sensitivity can occur after deeper fillings and should usually be monitored against the original symptoms.
- Long-term maintenance depends on cleaning, diet, bite forces and checking filling edges for wear or leakage.
Keeping the result stable
Keeping the result stable
- Fillings need routine checks because edges can wear or leak over time.
- Strong brushing, diet, grinding and bite pressure can affect longevity.
Related problem journeys
Related guidance
Common questions
Common questions
Can a lost filling just be replaced?
Sometimes. The tooth needs assessment first to check for decay, cracks and whether enough tooth remains.
Is a filling always cheaper and better than a crown?
Not always. A filling is more conservative, but it may not last if the tooth is structurally weak.
Unsure whether this treatment is right?
Book a normal appointment to understand the problem, alternatives and whether treatment is appropriate.