Dr Anupam Sinha
BDS, MDS - Orthodontics
- Delhi State Dental Council registration number A-6723 (2015).
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Dental Fillings in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi
A filling replaces the part of a tooth lost to decay or damage, after the decayed part has been cleaned out. At Orion Dental Clinic, a dentist in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), South Delhi, this page explains the types of filling, what systematic reviews say about how long each lasts, why fillings are replaced, and what can go wrong, in plain language, so that you can decide with confidence.
Treatment is planned by Dr Anupam Sinha (BDS, MDS) and Dr Natalia DeSilva (BDS, MDS). If you have a toothache now, call us. Ask as many questions as you need.
- Resin composite fillings still in place at 10 years, in 62 studies 3
- 85% to 90%
- The main reasons fillings are replaced, then new decay at the edge 3
- Fracture and wear
- Glass ionomer and compomer fillings are used mostly in smaller cavities and in children 13
- Tooth-coloured
- If a filling feels high or the tooth stays sore, so that the bite can be checked
- Tell your dentist
These figures come from systematic reviews, listed at the end of the page. Many of the trials are old, and materials have improved since. Your dentist will explain what suits your tooth.
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS - Orthodontics, .
Quick answer
Dental fillings at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi repair a tooth after decay has been cleaned out, using composite, amalgam or glass ionomer. Dr Anupam Sinha and Dr Natalia DeSilva choose with you after an examination and X-rays. About 85 to 90 in 100 composite fillings lasted ten years in a large review.
01 Overview
What are dental fillings, and how do they work in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi?
A filling restores a tooth after decay, a chip or wear. The dentist numbs the tooth, removes the decayed part, cleans the cavity and fills it with a material that is shaped to the tooth and hardened, so that the tooth can be used again and the decay does not spread. Which material is used depends on the size and position of the cavity, how much of the tooth is left and what you prefer.
Three materials are common. Resin composite is tooth-coloured and is bonded to the tooth. Amalgam is the silver filling, which is still used in parts of the world. Glass ionomer and compomer are tooth-coloured materials that are used mostly in smaller cavities and in children.13 A fourth option, for larger repairs, is an inlay or a crown, which is covered on our page about dental crowns.
How long a filling lasts depends on the material, the size of the cavity, how well the tooth is cleaned and how you bite. In a review of 62 trials, resin composite fillings in back teeth survived at about 85% to 90% at 10 years, and glass-ionomer and compomer fillings at about 80% at 6 years.3 Fillings are replaced mainly because they fracture or wear, or because new decay forms at their edge.3
A filling is a repair that is expected to last for years, and not a promise that the tooth will never need work again.
02 Candidacy
Who needs a dental filling in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi?
A filling is advised when a tooth has a cavity, a chip or a worn area that can be repaired. The dentist decides after an examination and X-rays.
When a filling is usually advised
- A cavity from tooth decay that has not reached the pulp.
- A chipped or cracked part of a tooth that can be rebuilt.
- A worn or damaged area of a tooth.
- An old filling that has broken, worn or developed decay at its edge.3
When another plan may be needed
- A cavity that has reached the pulp, which may need root canal treatment.
- A tooth with so little of its structure left that a crown is better.
- A tooth too badly decayed or broken to be saved, which may need to be taken out.
- Decay that keeps coming back, where the cause, such as diet and cleaning, has to be tackled as well as the cavity.
A filling treats the cavity, and the cause of the decay still has to be dealt with.
03 Options
Which filling materials are there in Greater Kailash 1?
The main choices are composite, amalgam and glass ionomer, and reviews give some comparisons.
Composite resin fillings
Tooth-coloured fillings bonded to the tooth. In a review of 62 trials, about 85% to 90% were still in place at 10 years, and the main reasons for replacement were fracture and wear, then new decay at the edge.3
85% to 90% at 10 years 3
If a tooth needs more than a filling, ask about dental crowns. If decay has reached the pulp, see root canal treatment.
| Composite | Amalgam | Glass ionomer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Tooth-coloured | Silver | Tooth-coloured |
| What the reviews found | About 85% to 90% at 10 years 3 | Lower failure than composite in children's back teeth, low-certainty evidence 1 | About 80% at 6 years 3 |
| Main reasons for failure | Fracture and wear, then new decay at the edge 3 | Not different from composite for fracture, with less new decay at the edge 2 | Loss of shape, loss of contact and retention 3 |
The material affects how long a filling lasts, but the size of the cavity and your cleaning matter at least as much.
04 Procedure
How is a dental filling placed, step by step?
Every case is individual, so your steps may differ. This is the usual order.13
A filling is quick, but the cleaning out of decay and the bite check decide how long it lasts.
Examination and X-rays for a dental filling
The dentist asks about pain or sensitivity and examines the tooth, the gum and your bite. X-rays show decay between teeth or under old fillings.
Choosing the filling material
You discuss composite, amalgam or glass ionomer for your tooth, with what the reviews found for each.13
Numbing the tooth
A local anaesthetic is usually given, so that you should not feel pain during the work.
Removing the decay and cleaning the cavity
The decayed part is removed and the cavity is cleaned. Decay left behind, or new decay at the edge, is a common reason for a filling to fail.3
Placing the filling
The material is placed and shaped. For composite, a bonding adhesive is used first, and the material is hardened in layers with a light. The way the adhesive is applied did not change post-operative sensitivity in a review of 13 trials.4
Shaping and checking the bite
The filling is polished and the bite is checked so that it is not too high, which can cause soreness or fracture.
Review
Your regular check-ups include the fillings, because most failures are found by examination and X-rays before they cause pain.
05 Aftercare
Looking after a new filling in Greater Kailash 1
Your dentist will give you written instructions, and those come first.
The first hours
Your lip, tongue or cheek may stay numb for a few hours, so be careful not to bite them. Wait until the numbness goes before eating hot food.
The first days
The tooth may be sensitive to cold, heat or biting for a few days. In a review, the way the adhesive was applied made no difference to this.4 Tell your dentist if it is getting worse or if the bite feels high.
Every day
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth every day, especially at the edge of the filling, where new decay tends to form.3
Check-ups
Keep your regular check-ups so that wear, fracture or new decay at a filling is found early.
When to call us
Call the clinic on 098115 01995 the same day if the pain gets worse instead of better, if the tooth throbs or keeps you awake, if swelling develops or spreads, if a piece of the filling or the tooth breaks off, or if your bite feels high. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that spreads across your face or neck, call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department.
Some sensitivity is normal, and pain that grows should be checked.
06 Limits and risks
When is a dental filling not the right choice?
A filling is the simplest repair, but it does not suit every tooth. These are situations where a different plan may be better:
- A cavity that has reached the pulp.
- A tooth with very little structure left.
- A tooth that is cracked through.
- Decay with an unaddressed cause, such as frequent sugary snacks or poor cleaning.
- A very large cavity in a back tooth, where a crown may last longer.
In these cases root canal treatment, a crown or taking the tooth out may be better than a filling.
Risks and complications
Fillings fail over time. In a review of 62 trials, composite fillings dropped to about 85% to 90% survival at 10 years, and about 70% of replacements were for fracture or wear, with about 20% for new decay at the edge.3
New decay at the edge. In trials in children's back teeth, composite fillings had a much higher risk of new decay than amalgam, with almost double the risk of failure overall, but the evidence was low-certainty and the materials have improved since.1 Another review found new decay to be a rare event in trials and the evidence on materials extremely scarce.5
Sensitivity. Post-operative sensitivity can happen after composite fillings, and the way the adhesive was applied made no difference in a review of 13 trials.4
Safety of materials. A Cochrane review found very low-certainty evidence of no clinically important difference in safety between amalgam and composite, and notes the global phase-down of amalgam.1 Ask your dentist which material is used and why.
A good plan names these limits before treatment starts, and treats a filling as a repair to be checked.
07 Your visit
What happens at your first dental filling appointment?
At your first visit, a dentist at Orion Dental Clinic asks about any pain or sensitivity, what sets it off and how long it has been there. You are asked about your health, medicines and allergies, including any allergy to a dental material.
The dentist examines your teeth and gums and takes X-rays where needed. You then talk through whether a filling is the right repair, which materials are possible, what each would involve and what the limits are, and you can ask any question before work starts. If you are in pain, say so and we will see you as soon as we can.
The first visit is to find out what is wrong and what repair suits the tooth, and treatment can often start on the same day.
08 Why this clinic
Why choose Orion Dental Clinic for dental fillings in Greater Kailash 1?
You meet the doctors who treat you, and you can ask them which material they would choose for your tooth and why.
Dr Natalia DeSilva
BDS, MDS - Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Delhi State Dental Council registration number A 11417 (2013), and Karnataka State Dental Council A-13203 (2003).
Doctors you can ask
Dr Anupam Sinha and Dr Natalia DeSilva both see patients with toothache and cavities, and patients mention them in their reviews.
Imaging on site
Imaging is available at the clinic, so the X-rays used to find decay can be taken there.
Care for anxious patients
Patients describe in reviews that Dr Natalia DeSilva explains each step and puts them at ease.
Ask which material the dentist would choose for your tooth, and what the alternative would be.
09 Reviews
Patient reviews of Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1
“Visited the clinic for a tooth filling and had a very positive experience. Dr. Natalia was extremely professional, gentle, and explained the procedure clearly before starting. She made sure I was comfortable throughout, and the filling was done smoothly with no pain. Would definitely recommend”
“Needed some tooth filling and stuffed chiped tooth from falling and training was done pretty well it's feeling pretty natural”
“Great experience overall…excellent dental care in welcoming environment…the dentists are professional, gentle and friendly. Professional service with personal touch. Highly recommended”
10 Visit us
Dental fillings clinic in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), Delhi: location and hours
Mon to Sat, 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
Orion Dental Clinic Basement, E 75, Greater Kailash-1,Greater Kailash Enclave I
New Delhi, Delhi 110048
098115 01995
| Monday to Saturday | 9:30 am to 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
If you are looking for dental fillings in Greater Kailash or nearby, Orion Dental Clinic is in the basement of E 75, Greater Kailash Enclave 1 (GK 1), opposite Anubhav Play School, with the entrance at Gate 1, so call or message us on WhatsApp to book an appointment and use the map for directions. More about the clinic: dentist in Greater Kailash.
11 Travelling patients
Visiting Delhi and needing a dental filling?
A filling is usually a single visit, which makes it one of the easiest treatments to fit into a stay. Even so, the dentist needs to examine the tooth and take an X-ray first, so allow time for that, and tell us if you have pain now. We will give you your X-rays and a note for your own dentist at home.
You can read about how dental tourism in Delhi works.
A filling can fit a short stay, as long as the examination comes first.
12 Questions
Dental filling questions patients ask in Greater Kailash 1
What is a dental filling?
A material placed in a tooth after decay or damage has been cleaned out, shaped to the tooth and hardened, so that the tooth can be used again.
What types of dental filling are there?
How long do dental fillings last?
In a review of 62 trials, about 85% to 90% of composite fillings in back teeth were still in place at 10 years, and about 80% of glass-ionomer and compomer fillings at 6 years.3
Why do fillings fail?
Mainly bulk fracture and wear, which accounted for about 70% of replacements of composite fillings, and new decay at the edge, which accounted for about 20%.3
Is amalgam better than composite?
Do fillings hurt?
A local anaesthetic is usually given, so you should not feel pain during the work. The tooth may be sensitive afterwards, and in a review the way the adhesive was applied made no difference to that.4
Can a filling be replaced?
Yes. Fillings are replaced when they fracture, wear or develop new decay, and your regular check-ups are how this is found early.3
When is a filling not enough?
If decay has reached the pulp, the tooth may need root canal treatment, and if the tooth has little structure left, a crown may be better, and your dentist will explain which applies to your tooth.
Where can I find dental fillings near me in South Delhi?
Orion Dental Clinic is a dental fillings clinic in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), in the basement of E 75, Greater Kailash Enclave 1, opposite Anubhav Play School, with the entrance at Gate 1. Patients come for dental fillings in Greater Kailash from Kailash Colony, CR Park, Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony and South Extension. Call or message us on WhatsApp to book an appointment.
13 Second opinion
Think you have a cavity?
If a tooth is sensitive to cold, hot or sweet things, or hurts when you bite, a visit can find out whether it needs a filling and what the options are. Bring any earlier X-rays or reports. The dentist will examine the tooth, explain what they find and describe the choices, including how to prevent more decay. There is no form to fill in: message us on WhatsApp or call, and we will find a time that suits you.
14 Related
Related treatments and guides
How a root canal is done
Read this if decay has reached the pulp of the tooth.
How a dental crown is made and fitted
Read this for a cap that protects a tooth that needs more than a filling.
Dental Bonding
Read this for tooth-coloured resin used to repair or reshape front teeth.
Patient guides
Sensitive Teeth: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Why teeth become sensitive to cold, heat and sweet food, how toothpastes and dentist treatments help, and when a twinge needs a check-up.
Tooth Cavities: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
A practical guide to filling a cavity: what the dentist does, how composite, amalgam and glass ionomer compare, aftercare and how to stop new decay.
Cavities: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
How cavities form, the signs to look for at each stage, how fillings and other treatments work, and the habits that prevent decay.
Sources (5)
- Worthington HV, Khangura S, Seal K, Mierzwinski-Urban M, Veitz-Keenan A, Sahrmann P, Schmidlin PR, Davis D, Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Rasines Alcaraz MG. Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for posterior teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021, CD005620. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005620.pub3
- Moraschini V, Fai CK, Alto RM, Dos Santos GO. Amalgam and resin composite longevity of posterior restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 2015;43(9):1043-1050. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26116767/
- Heintze SD, Loguercio AD, Hanzen TA, Reis A, Rousson V. Clinical efficacy of resin-based direct posterior restorations and glass-ionomer restorations: an updated meta-analysis of clinical outcome parameters. Dental Materials, 2022;38(5):e109-e135. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35221127/
- Reis A, Dourado Loguercio A, Schroeder M, Luque-Martinez I, Masterson D, Maia LC. Does the adhesive strategy influence the post-operative sensitivity in adult patients with posterior resin composite restorations? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Dental Materials, 2015;31(9):1052-1067. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26122377/
- Askar H, Krois J, Göstemeyer G, Schwendicke F. Secondary caries risk of different adhesive strategies and restorative materials in teeth: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 2021;104:103541. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33259888/
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.