Tooth Fillings

Tooth Fillings are a very common treatment and are needed when a tooth has a hole/decay or has broken.

Signs you may require a filling:

• Hot/Cold Sensitivity
• Sweet Sensitivity
• A broken tooth

The three types of fillings are : Composite (White Fillings), Glass Ionomer Cement and Amalgam (Silver Fillings / Redundant)

Composite (White Fillings)

Composite is the most popular filling material worldwide. Composites have replaced traditional amalgam fillings as a tooth coloured alternative. The early composite materials were very poor at creating a seal so would last a very short amount of time. Nowadays composite technology has improved greatly giving us a huge range of options.

If a filling becomes very large a dental crown is often recommended to protect the remaining tooth structure.

Composite is tooth coloured and comes in hundreds of different shades that your dentist can artfully blend with your tooth .

Glass Ionomer Cement

Glass Ionomer Cement is a filling material with a wide range of uses.

It is commonly used as a liner or base under another filling material. This material is also used as a temporary filling and can also be used as a fissure sealant material.

Amalgam (Silver Fillings)

Amalgam deserves a mention as up until only 20 years ago it was the most popular material used in dentistry. The majority of fillings we see in mouths are still amalgam. Amalgam is a very strong durable material with a long lasting seal, however the filling can act as a wedge in the tooth and cause cracking and also the inclusion of mercury in amalgam fillings has questioned the safety of usage. Should you wish to remove your amalgam fillings we have options available for safe removal.

Fissure Sealants

Fissure sealants are a flowable form of composite (white filling material). They are used in teeth that have a high risk of decaying. Teeth with a high risk of decaying are usually molar teeth with very deep grooves called pits and fissures.

Your dentist will assess your risk of developing decay and also the shape of the teeth to determine whether or not a fissure sealant is a good idea. Fissure Sealants almost act as little insurance policy’s against developing a hole and a resultant filling.

How long do fillings last?

Fillings are very technique sensitive and also require good maintenance and cleaning.

A well maintained filling placed correctly should last upwards of 10 + years. Fillings work well in cases where the hole is small in size. Larger holes may weaken the surrounding tooth structure and a crown may be the best option.

How much do fillings cost ?

Cost all depends on the size of the filling and the location in your mouth.

Front teeth always cost more as we take a lot more time to ensure cosmetically the filling blends with your other teeth. A full rebuild of a front tooth takes a lot more time than a small filling on a back tooth.

We use the best materials available on the market to ensure the fillings last as long as possible.

Fissure Sealants $145
Each Fillings $385 (Small Filling) – $550 (Large Reconstruction)