It typically only takes one visit to complete this procedure, and a filling can last from 5 years to a lifetime, depending on its location, the material used, and the care you give your teeth.
Gold has the longest lifespan, followed by amalgams and then composites.
At the site of the decay the dentists drills out the decay and shapes the tooth to hold the filling. If a tooth's pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves, becomes infected because of decay or injury, root-canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth and repair the damage. Usually, this type of treatment is performed in 1-3 visits, depending upon the pulp's condition. The material used to fill the root canal will probably last a lifetime, but eventually the filling or crown may need to be replaced. Pulp becomes damaged and infection spreads to the bone and tissues.