DENTAL FILLING

A filling involves a special composite resin applied to a tooth to restore a cavity (hole), or defect such as a chip or fracture. The filling material nowadays is tooth coloured and matched carefully to blend in with your natural teeth. Placed in layers after the tooth has been cleaned out, the filling material is carefully adapted to the tooth and hardened with a blue light. After the filling is complete it is adjusted and polished to fit seamlessly with your natural bite. The result should be a comfortable tooth indiscernible from any of its neighbours.

Tooth coloured fillings are both a practical and aesthetically pleasing option for restoring minor to moderate defects. Generally, a composite resin filling can be expected to last between 7 to 10 years.

A ceramic (porcelain) filling is made of porcelain, a much harder and more durable material than a regular (composite resin) filling. Porcelain fillings are often a better option where a tooth has lost 50% or more of its original structure. This is because as a tooth loses more structure, the resulting defect becomes larger and requires a more robust material to withstand chewing forces. As opposed to a regular filling which is placed directly, a ceramic filling is first made outside of the mouth in a laboratory where it can be further customized and strengthened.

Ceramic fillings are resistant to stains and extremely durable, making them ideal for teeth that are under chewing pressure, such as molars. With proper care and treatment, ceramic fillings can last for at least 15 years, making them a great investment.

A dental filling is necessary when you have a cavity or hole in your tooth. While some home remedies for dental cavities do exist, the reality is that once a hole has progressed, the only way to stop it from getting worse is to have a filling placed. If left untreated, decay can spread, further damaging the tooth and causing an infection or abscess which may require more complex treatment such as root canal therapy.

It’s much easier to treat a cavity early with a filling, rather than leave it to develop into a more serious issue. The team at Studio Smiles can do just that for you.
Book an appointment today at our Bayside studio.

How long your filling lasts will depend on the type of filling you receive. Tooth coloured (composite resin) fillings can last up to 10 years, while ceramic fillings can last more than 15 years. To ensure the longevity of your filling, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene, have healthy eating habits, and avoid injuries to your teeth.

Although we expect dental fillings to last many years, they aren’t permanent. Sometimes fillings can fall out. This can be due to new tooth decay, tooth fracture, injury, or general wear and tear. Where a regular filling is placed on a tooth with over 50% structure loss the filling may fail early – this is where a ceramic (porcelain) filling may be a better long-term option. If you’re filling has fallen out, get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

If you maintain proper oral hygiene, avoid injuries to your teeth, and have healthy eating habits, most fillings should last 7 to 10 years. Other fillings can last even longer, such as ceramic fillings which can last up over 15 years. One thing to understand is that fillings are not a permanent treatment, so they will need replacing eventually. Avoid replacing them often by maintaining your regular 6-monthly dental check-ups.

Dental fillings are safe treatments that can absolutely be performed during pregnancy. Pregnancy can in fact lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, so it’s important to have any cavities treated. If a dental infection were to get out of control, the risk to the baby would become greater than if you were to treat the problem as it came. At Studio Smiles, it’s of the utmost importance that we provide you with the best possible care. Get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

Our aim is to get you out of pain as soon as possible. By getting treated, your pain will alleviate almost immediately.

Tooth-coloured filling
A tooth-coloured filling can be used to fill a cavity or restore your broken tooth when it has lost less than 50% of its structure. It is a natural looking, tooth coloured filling that is made directly in the mouth. It can also be used to change the shape, colour, or size of your tooth.

Ceramic filling
If your tooth has lost over 50% of its structure due to decay or injury, a ceramic filling can be used to restore it. Ceramic fillings are handmade in the laboratory to fit your tooth perfectly. Advantages of a ceramic filling include an exact shade match to your natural tooth colour, more stain resistance, and greater longevity.

Here at Studio Smiles, we take pride in our emphasis on pain-free dentistry. We understand that going to the dentist can be daunting and that there are certain procedures you may find uncomfortable, so we use the latest techniques and technology to make you feel as comfortable as we possibly can. We also offer oral and IV sedation to take the edge off where needed, which means you can wake up to the smile of your dreams without remembering a thing!

Costs will vary depending on the individual and the treatment necessary. We believe in a transparent approach, so we make it a rule to provide all relevant treatment options and costs, including the advantages and disadvantages where relevant. This is an important part of our informed consent process. Patients may choose to opt for one of our interest-free payment plans to have their smile transformed now, while having the flexibility to pay later on their own terms. Payment plans can help alleviate the financial barriers to a healthy mouth. We want to make sure you feel completely comfortable with the next steps throughout your entire journey. Book an appointment today.