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Modern composite is bonded to the remaining tooth rather than mechanically wedged into it, which means less healthy tooth needs removing to create a retentive shape than was the case with amalgam. That difference is the main practical advance in routine restorative dentistry.
When decay has broken through the enamel into the softer dentine beneath, the affected tissue is removed and the resulting space rebuilt. That rebuild is the filling. Tooth-coloured composite resin is placed in layers, light-cured and shaped to match the original contour of the tooth.
Fillings are also used for purposes other than decay: repairing chipped edges, rebuilding teeth worn by grinding or acid erosion, closing small gaps between front teeth, and covering exposed root surfaces where recession has occurred.
Fillings are needed where decay has progressed past the point at which it can be arrested, or where tooth structure has been lost to wear or fracture.
Most fillings are completed in one appointment.
Decay between teeth is usually invisible on examination and shows on bitewing X-rays. Where a lesion is caught very early it may not need a filling at all — some can be arrested with fluoride and better cleaning, and we will say so rather than drilling unnecessarily.
Most fillings are done under local anaesthetic, with topical numbing gel applied first. If you are anxious about injections, tell us when booking and we will allow extra time.
The decayed tissue is removed and the extent of the remaining structure assessed.
The tooth is isolated to keep it dry, and composite placed in layers and light-cured. Moisture control is what determines how well the bond holds.
The filling is contoured to match the original tooth shape and the bite checked and adjusted.
The restoration is polished, and we explain what to expect in terms of sensitivity over the following days.
Fillings are routine, but there are outcomes worth knowing about in advance.
Possible Risks:
Recovery and Aftercare:
The cost varies with the severity of the decay present and the surface of the tooth that needs to be filled. Where too little tooth structure remains for a filling to be reliable, a porcelain crown from $1,800 is the more durable option and will be discussed with you first. Fissure seals, for sealing the grooves of newly erupted molars before decay starts, are $50 to $100. This price guide is an estimate only and not a final quote. All quotes are valid for 6 months and subject to change after that period.
Access our detailed price guide to understand the investment in your dental care options.
A sound amalgam that is sealing well does not need replacing simply because it is metal, since removing it costs tooth structure.
Where an amalgam is failing, leaking, or the tooth around it is cracked, replacement is warranted. We will show you the X-ray and explain what we are seeing.
Several years to well over a decade, depending on size, position, bite forces and oral hygiene. Larger fillings in back teeth are under the most load and tend to have the shortest life.
When more than roughly half the tooth is gone. At that point a large filling leaves thin walls prone to splitting, and a crown or inlay is more durable.
We would rather have that conversation before placing a large filling than after the tooth splits.
Some cold sensitivity after a deep filling is normal and settles over days to weeks as the nerve recovers.
Sensitivity that worsens, or pain that lingers after the stimulus is removed, can indicate the nerve is irreversibly inflamed. Call us rather than waiting it out.
Choosing Civic Gentle Dental Care standard means partnering with a practice built on deep clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient well-being.
Our dedicated team develops fully personalised treatment plans, combining advanced modern techniques with the precision of our specialised in-house ceramic laboratory. We focus on delivering optimal aesthetic and functional results for your smile, ensuring your entire experience is comfortable, transparent, and completely professional.
We offer interest-free payment plans to help make your treatment more manageable.
*Subject to finance approval, fees and charged
Looking to explore more General Dentistry or oral health options?
You may also be interested in:
Where the nerve has become irreversibly inflamed.
Where decay is most often detected early.
Where too little tooth structure remains for a filling.
The same material used for cosmetic reshaping.
Suspect a cavity, or lost a filling?
Book at Civic Gentle Dental Care in Canberra City.
