Dental Fillings

Dental fillings will be used by the dentist to fill cavities caused by bacteria. These fillings help to stop the tooth decay from spreading.

Yes. As soon as your dental visit is over, the filling is ready to be used as normal, however care needs to be taken with any remaining numbness. Be careful not to bite your lips or cheeks and always make sure that any food or beverages are not too warm.

There are several material options available. We use tooth coloured biomaterials which are able to be sculpted to the shape of your teeth and are barely visible.

Yes. Having a filling placed does not make a tooth immune to decay. The initial decay present would have been removed entirely in order to place a successful filling, however recurrent decay can occur without proper care. The junction between the filling and the tooth is the most vulnerable area and it is essential that you maintain high levels of oral hygiene care around fillings and natural teeth alike.

Crown placement helps to strengthen the entire tooth as it covers all the functional surfaces. As a result, any forces exerted on the tooth are distributed evenly throughout the crown. The junction between the crown and the tooth surface is safely hidden at the gum margin where very few forces are being experienced. In comparison, a filling margin which is often on the eating surface of the tooth experiences heavy vertical forces during function which can damage the filling, tooth or both. Your dentist will be able to assess your tooth and determine whether a filling or a crown is best indicated. The more extensive the damage on the tooth, the more likely a crown will be required. Crowns are placed where there has been extensive decay, physical trauma to the tooth, crack lines, fractures or after a root canal has been done.

Yes. However the restorations will need to be reviewed after completion of whitening. It is not possible to lighten fillings or crowns with standard dental whitening procedures. Your dentist will be able to advise you on what the likely requirements will be.