Key facts
- Cleveland Clinic notes fillings can last about 10 to 20 years depending on the type.
- Korean NHIS typically covers basic fillings for enrolled patients (amalgam, and resin in some cases).
- Intact, sealed amalgam fillings often do not need to be replaced.
What is a dental filling?
A filling repairs a tooth after decay or a small fracture has been removed, restoring its shape and sealing it against bacteria. Fillings are either placed directly in the mouth in one visit or made in a lab and bonded in later.
Cleveland Clinic groups fillings into direct materials (amalgam, resin composite and glass ionomer) and indirect materials made in a lab (such as gold and porcelain), and notes that fillings can last about 10 to 20 years depending on the type ( Cleveland Clinic).
Which filling materials are available?
Lucid Dental mainly uses tooth-colored resin for direct fillings and lab-made inlays for larger repairs. The table compares the common materials so you can discuss them with the dentist.
| Material | Look | Visits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin composite | Tooth-colored | One | Small to medium fillings, front and back teeth |
| Glass ionomer | Tooth-colored, less glossy | One | Root-surface cavities, temporary or low-stress areas |
| Amalgam | Silver-gray | One | Back teeth; less often chosen today for appearance reasons |
| Ceramic inlay | Tooth-colored | Usually two | Larger cavities in back teeth |
| Gold inlay | Gold | Usually two | Back teeth where strength matters more than color |
How are fillings priced at Lucid Dental?
Resin fillings vary with size and the number of surfaces, and inlays are made in a lab; both are quoted after an exam.
If you are enrolled in Korea's national health insurance, basic fillings are typically covered (amalgam, and resin in some cases), so your cost may be lower; confirm with NHIS. See our guide to dental fees in Seoul for other treatments.
Resin filling or inlay: which do I need?
Resin is usually right for small and medium cavities; an inlay is often better when a large part of a back tooth's chewing surface is missing. The amount of healthy tooth left decides it.
Very large resin fillings in molars can shrink slightly as they harden and wear faster under heavy chewing. A lab-made inlay fits precisely and can be stronger in those cases. If even more tooth is lost, a crown may be the safer choice. Our guide to inlays and onlays in Seoul explains the differences with examples.
What happens during a filling appointment?
A resin filling is usually done in one visit, often within an hour for a single tooth.
- Check: the tooth is examined and an X-ray is taken if needed.
- Numbing: local anesthesia is applied for all but the smallest fillings.
- Cleaning out: decay or the old filling is removed, and the tooth is shaped to hold the new material.
- Bonding: the tooth surface is treated so the resin can bond to it.
- Layering and curing: resin is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a blue curing light.
- Shaping and polishing: the filling is carved to match your tooth and your bite is checked.
Inlays follow a similar start, but the tooth is scanned, a temporary filling is placed, and the inlay is bonded at a second visit.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not automatically. If an amalgam filling is intact, sealed and free of decay, many dentists advise leaving it alone, because each replacement removes a little more tooth.
Replacement is worth considering when a filling is cracked, leaking, has decay around it, or when you strongly prefer a tooth-colored look. The dentist will check each filling and tell you which, if any, need attention. If a filling has already fallen out, read our guide on a lost crown or filling in Seoul.
Can tooth-colored fillings improve how my teeth look?
Yes. The same resin used for fillings can repair chips, close small gaps and reshape front teeth, a treatment usually called bonding. Read more on our composite bonding page. For decay-related repairs and how cavities are found, see cavity treatment in Seoul.
How do I care for a new filling?
Resin fillings are fully hardened before you leave, so you can eat once the numbness wears off. Take care not to bite your cheek or lip while still numb.
- Some sensitivity to cold or biting is common for a few days and usually settles.
- If your bite feels high after the numbness fades, contact us so it can be adjusted.
- Brush, clean between teeth and limit sugary snacks to protect the edges of the filling.
- Coffee, tea and red wine can stain resin over time more than they stain porcelain.
What affects how long a filling lasts?
Size and position matter most: small fillings on front teeth tend to outlast large fillings on molars that take heavy chewing. Grinding or clenching, frequent sugary snacks, and how well the edges are cleaned each day also play a part. Wearing a night guard if you grind and keeping up regular check-ups give fillings a better chance of lasting.
What are the risks?
Fillings are among the most common dental treatments, but they can chip, wear, stain or loosen with time, and decay can form at their edges. Deep fillings close to the nerve occasionally lead to lasting sensitivity or the need for root canal treatment. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required.
Tips for visitors and expats
A filling is one of the easiest treatments to fit into a busy trip or work week. Our late hours on Tuesdays to Thursdays and Saturday opening help if you work office hours. If you have private insurance, ask for an itemized receipt and treatment record on request so you can submit a claim. Our guide to English dental records and receipts explains what to ask for.
Book a consultation
Chipped filling, old silver fillings you want checked, or a new cavity? Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975, or book a filling appointment. We are directly in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station on Line 9.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get used to a new filling?
Most people stop noticing a new filling within a day or two. Mild sensitivity can last a little longer for deeper fillings. If the tooth still hurts when biting after a week, have the bite checked.
Can I choose amalgam if I prefer it?
Discuss it with the dentist at your exam. Most fillings at Lucid are tooth-colored resin, and the dentist will explain which materials suit your tooth and why.
Will my filling match my tooth color?
Resin comes in many shades and is matched to your tooth before placement. It may look slightly different after whitening, because whitening gel changes natural teeth but not filling material.
Can a filling be done without numbing?
Very small, shallow fillings sometimes can, and you can ask. For anything deeper, local anesthesia keeps you comfortable and lets the dentist work carefully.
How often do fillings need replacing?
There is no fixed schedule. A filling is replaced when it is cracked, worn, leaking or has decay around it, which your dentist checks at regular visits.