Dental Fillings Frenchs Forest
Dental fillings are a simple yet essential solution for treating cavities, ensuring healthy and functional teeth.
Dental fillings are a simple yet vital solution for treating cavities, helping to preserve your teeth and maintain oral health. This quick and straightforward procedure often takes just one visit, offering protection against further decay while strengthening your teeth and eliminating discomfort. The result? A healthy, pain-free smile you can confidently enjoy.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about fillings, from the materials used to the procedure itself, and how to maintain your oral health moving forward.
What is a dental filling?
When a cavity (a hole caused by tooth decay or damage) forms in your tooth, it needs to be repaired to restore the tooth’s function and prevent further damage.
At Blue House Dental, we recommend using white fillings made from composite resin to repair small to medium-sized cavities. This tooth-coloured material bonds strongly to your natural tooth, ensuring durability while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Composite resin fillings come in a variety of shades to seamlessly match your natural teeth. Our dentists may even use a combination of colours for the most natural-looking result. The goal is a virtually invisible restoration that allows you to bite and chew comfortably. White fillings generally last for several years, though we’ll regularly assess their condition during check-ups.
Keep in mind that composite resin can stain over time, particularly if you smoke or frequently consume coffee, tea, or red wine.
Benefits of dental fillings
Dental fillings come with numerous benefits for your oral health and well-being, including:
- Preventing Further Damage: Fillings stop the progression of tooth decay, protecting your teeth from further harm.
- Quick and Convenient: Most procedures are completed in just 20–30 minutes, fitting easily into any schedule.
- Restoring Tooth Function: Fillings restore your ability to bite, chew, and speak comfortably.
- Long-Lasting Protection: With proper care, fillings can last for many years. Gold fillings, in particular, can last two decades or more.
Signs of tooth decay
Tooth decay can develop gradually, but early detection can save you from more invasive treatments. Common signs of decay include:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
- Pain or discomfort when biting down.
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth.
- Black, brown, or white spots on your tooth enamel.
- Food getting trapped in cavities.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental check-up promptly to prevent further damage.
What to expect during a filling procedure
The process of getting a filling is straightforward and typically performed under local anaesthetic. Before the procedure, your dentist may take an X-ray to assess the extent of the decay. During the procedure:
- Damaged or decayed tooth material is carefully removed.
- The area is cleaned and dried to prevent bacteria from becoming trapped.
- For deeper cavities, a protective lining may be placed to shield the tooth’s pulp.
- The filling material is applied in layers and hardened with a special blue light.
- Once the filling is in place, it is shaped and polished for a smooth, comfortable finish.
The result is a durable, natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with your teeth.
Amalgam Free Dentistry
Amalgam (silver) fillings were once a common choice for repairing larger cavities, thanks to their durability and low cost. However, they contain mercury, can darken over time, and often compromise the appearance of your smile.
At Blue House Dental, we can safely remove old amalgam fillings and replace them with modern, tooth-coloured alternatives. While we won’t recommend removing functional fillings unnecessarily, we’ll carefully monitor them during your check-ups and advise when replacement is best.
Today’s white composite fillings are strong, long-lasting, and more natural looking. Unlike amalgam, they don’t expand or contract with temperature changes, which means less stress on your teeth and fewer fractures over time. Because they bond directly to your tooth, only the damaged area needs to be removed, preserving more of your natural structure.
For larger areas of damage, porcelain inlays and onlays provide a durable and aesthetic solution without the need for a full crown.
Frequently asked questions
No, tooth fillings don’t hurt because the area will be numbed with a local anaesthesia before the treatment even begins. The site may be a little tender for the following day after the procedure, but you can either take over-the-counter pain medication or avoid chewing using that tooth during this time.
The most painful part of a tooth filling is usually before you get it - the cavity itself can cause pain and discomfort, but the filling will treat the cause to avoid further pain.
A tooth filling will vary in cost depending on a number of factors, including the placement of the tooth, which filling material you use, and how many fillings you get at once.
Dental fillings typically last 10-15 years if looked after correctly, but filling materials such as gold can last even longer.
Good dental care such as a healthy diet, regular flossing and brushing, and regular dentist check-ups will help to ensure the longevity of your filling.
No, a tooth filling is incredibly common, and most Australians will need at least one during their lifetime. You can get a tooth filling completed in less than an hour and not think about it again for many years to come.
Take charge of your oral health
Dental fillings are a reliable, effective solution for restoring your teeth and maintaining a confident, healthy smile.
We proudly serve the Frenchs Forest community with expert care and personalised solutions. Whether you suspect a cavity or simply need a routine check-up, our dedicated team is here to help.