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Glite Dictionary
to needs a filling

to needs a filling

4.3
Has a hole or damage in a tooth that a dentist must fix
  • idiom
translation icon : necesita un empaste
  • My tooth needs a filling.

Examples

  • The dentist explained that the tooth has decay and needs a filling to prevent further damage.

  • After biting into something hard, she discovered her tooth needs a filling.

  • If your tooth needs a filling, it is best to get it done as soon as possible.

  • My dentist told me that one of my molars needs a filling after examining the x-rays.

  • She needs a filling for her molar.

  • After the exam, the dentist said I need a filling in one of my molars due to a cavity.

  • If you feel pain when chewing, it might mean your tooth needs a filling.

Synonyms

to needs fixing
vsto needs a filling
15 2.0

Requires repair or improvement

is specific to restoring a tooth after a cavity or other damage

Antonyms

healthy
695 1.0

In good body and mind condition without sickness or injury

How Damaged

to needs a filling
4.3
cavity
29 3.4
chip
130 2.1

Surface Forms

needs a filling infinitive
needed a filling past
needed a filling past participle
needing a filling present participle
needs a filling third person singular

Morphology

need + a + filling

The meaning 'to require a dental restorative procedure' is directly and compositionally derived from 'need' (to require) + 'a' (article) + 'filling' (dental material/procedure). This literal requirement construction is common and cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand it.

Etymology

Needs a filling gives a clear picture: when a tooth has a hole, a dentist fills it with a filling to stop pain and make the tooth whole again. So, to say a tooth 'needs a filling' means it 'must be fixed by a dentist'.