Dental Fillings

Traditionally, dentists have used metal/silver fillings to repair cavities, known as amalgam. In more recent times, technology and dentistry have advanced to offer ‘white’ fillings, that look more like natural teeth and are usually made of composite resin or glass ionomer cement.

 
 
Before dental filling - chipped, broken and demineralised tooth

Before dental filling - chipped, broken and demineralised tooth

After Composite resin dental filling

After Composite resin dental filling

Why do I need a filling?

Dental fillings are used to repair worn down, chipped, decayed or discoloured teeth.  Teeth that are worn down, chipped, decayed or broken can be prone to further damage and we always recommend having it checked and fixed to prevent further problems such as extractions and root canal treatment.

Worn teeth: Usually caused by clenching and grinding on the teeth or brushing too hard on the tooth surface

Broken or chipped teeth: Often occurs from eating hard foods, accidents from falls or sports. They can also occur from long term wear and tear as the tooth structure weakens over time

Decayed teeth (cavities): This occurs when there is too much sugar intake from your diet or when you aren’t cleaning your teeth regularly or carefully enough. We always recommend taking x-rays on your first check up visit and updating them every 2 years to ensure the tooth structure is sound and healthy.

Discoloured teeth: This may occur due to a variety of reasons but if you are unhappy with the appearance or colour of your teeth we can place fillings on it or offer other options such as veneers, crowns and teeth whitening

 
Dental tooth filling - after drilling and removing tooth decay

Dental tooth filling - after drilling and removing tooth decay

How do I know if I should have a filling?

Sometimes it can be very obvious - you see and feel a hole in your tooth

Sometimes it might be a filling, or it might not - you may feel sensitivity to hot/cold/sweet foods, you may experience food getting stuck in a particular spot

Sometimes it is not obvious at all - you don't feel or notice anything but in fact there is a massive cavity in your tooth

At Capstone Dental, we will provide you with a thorough examination of all your teeth which will usually involve taking x-rays and then let you know exactly what is happening in your teeth and if there are any cavities. From there, we can talk you through all of the options and take into account your personal preferences and situations.

In some circumstances, if the tooth requires a really big filling, we may recommend a crown and even root canal treatment