Dental Fillings at Bellegrove Dental
Restore your smile and oral health with our expert dental filling services. Whether you’re dealing with cavities, tooth decay, or minor fractures, dental fillings are essential to restoring tooth functionality and preventing further issues. Have a look at the options available and how they can benefit your dental health.
What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are treatments used to repair and restore the surface of teeth damaged by decay, fracture, or wear. By filling cavities or damaged areas, fillings help restore the tooth to its original shape and function, preventing decay from spreading further.
Types of dental fillings
Each filling material offers unique benefits, tailored to different needs and preferences:
Amalgam (Silver) Fillings: Known for their strength and durability, ideal for back teeth where the chewing pressure is highest. Although less aesthetic due to their metallic colour, they are valued for their longevity and cost-effectiveness.
Composite Fillings: Composed of a resin and plastic mixture that closely matches the colour of your teeth, making them an excellent choice for front teeth and visible areas. They bond directly to the tooth surface, supporting the remaining tooth structure.
Gold Fillings: Although more expensive, gold fillings are exceptionally durable and are considered by some as the top-of-the-line in fillings due to their longevity and resistance to corrosion.
Ceramic Fillings: Typically made from porcelain, these fillings are resistant to staining and wear. Their colour and translucency closely mimic that of natural teeth, providing superior aesthetics.
Glass Ionomer Fillings: These fillings release fluoride over time, which can help prevent further decay. However, they are less durable than composite or amalgam fillings and are generally used in areas of low bite pressure.
Gentle Care
Seamless Restoration
Accepting New Patients
Gentle Care
Seamless Restoration
Advanced dental fillings options
Inlays
Perfect for treating decay within the cusps of a tooth. Inlays are pre-molded to fit snugly into the space and are less extensive than onlays.
Overlays
These cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth and are recommended when the damage is too extensive for an onlay but does not require a full crown. Excellent for restoring large areas of decay while conserving more of the natural tooth structure than a crown would.
Onlays
Ideal for more extensive decay that involves one or more tooth cusps. Onlays are sometimes referred to as “partial crowns” and offer a preservation-focused treatment option.
Choosing the right filling
The selection process involves considering various factors, including:
- Tooth location: Fillings in the front teeth often require materials that match the natural tooth appearance closely.
- Extent of decay: Larger fillings that need to withstand higher pressures are better served by durable materials like gold or porcelain.
- Aesthetic considerations: For teeth visible when smiling or talking, tooth-coloured fillings might be preferred.
- Budget and longevity: Costs vary, and so does the lifespan of different filling materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental fillings are necessary to repair teeth that have cavities or minor structural damage, preventing further decay and restoring the tooth’s function.
Common signs include tooth sensitivity, visible holes or pits in your teeth, pain when biting down, and dark stains on the surface of your teeth.
Common materials include amalgam (silver), composite resins (tooth-coloured), gold, ceramic (porcelain), and glass ionomer.
The procedure typically takes about 20-60 minutes per tooth, depending on the extent of decay and the type of filling.
The lifespan of a filling depends on the material used and your oral hygiene practices but typically ranges from 5 to 15 years.
You should wait until the numbness wears off to eat, to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. With amalgam fillings, you may need to wait at least 24 hours before eating solid foods.
Inlays are fillings that fit within the cusps of a tooth, onlays cover one or more cusps, and overlays cover the entire biting surface, providing extensive coverage similar to a crown.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly. Avoiding hard and sticky foods can also help prolong the life of your filling.
Yes, fillings can sometimes fall out, usually due to further decay or weakening of the tooth structure. If your filling falls out, contact your dentist immediately to have it replaced.
Yes, old or damaged fillings can and should be replaced to prevent decay from developing under the old filling.
Focused on your smile!
With us, you can forget the stressful, daunting dental visits! At Bellegrove Dental, our team will always make sure that each visit is always relaxing, swift, and designed around your individual needs!
