Composite White Dental Filling in Brighton, Brisbane
Even if you follow a rigorous dental hygiene routine and have regular check-ups, the chances are high that you’ll need to have a filling at some time in your life. Four in five Australians have at least one filling, and the average person has three.
Of all the different dental procedures we perform, fillings are the most common. Dental fillings might be a commonplace experience, but patients are not always sure of what is involved, and some even seem a little afraid to ask! Read on to learn all you know about Brisbane white fillings.
About Dental Fillings
When a tooth starts to decay, it affects its strength and function. It can also cause discomfort in terms of toothache and sensitivity. Tooth decay can also be a contributory cause of bad breath. Left untreated, the decay will spread. However, if your dentist cleans the cavity, removing all decayed material and then replaces the decayed part of the tooth with a filling, it restores the cavity and tooth function, as well as putting an end to the pain and sensitivity.
Since the mid-1800s, fillings have most commonly been made of amalgam. Also known as silver fillings, these are effective, robust and inexpensive. However, the fact that they contain mercury has raised some health concerns. Furthermore, the silver tends to go black over time, so amalgam is not ideal from an aesthetic perspective.
For these reasons, amalgam fillings are being phased out these days. If you come to us for dental fillings in Brighton, Brisbane, we recommend white composite fillings. This white tooth filling looks excellent; the synthetic bonding material used does not contain any toxic elements, and the whole thing is almost as robust as amalgam.
Before & After Image of Composite White Filling
Getting a Filling
Don’t worry if you have a check-up and get the news that you need a filling. As we mentioned, fillings are very common, and even your dentist probably has one or two – not that you would notice with today’s white fillings! We will make an appointment for you to come in for the filling. The procedure will be done in about 30 minutes if it is just one.
When you arrive for your filling, you will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel a thing. The dentist will assiduously remove all the decayed material, leaving only the healthy part of the tooth. Next, the resin used for white fillings will be colour-matched to your teeth before the dentist applies it as a paste and then carefully shapes it to your exact tooth shape and bite to look and feel completely natural. Finally, a curing light is applied to harden the filling.
Looking After Your White Fillings
Your dentist will advise you about aftercare when you have had one or more fillings. Typically, you will be told to avoid eating until the anaesthetic has worn off, and you will be free to eat on the filling and tooth as normal after. The filling is actually completely fully set and hard by the end of your appointment.
After a week or two, it will be as if the filling is not there. Simply follow your usual oral healthcare routine of daily brushing and flossing, and the filling should give years of reliable service.
Alternatives To White Fillings
White fillings have now taken over from amalgam as the most popular choice. While traditional amalgam fillings are still available, the white composite alternatives are a better choice as they do not contain toxic elements, and they blend with the tooth, so nobody will even notice they are there.
Other alternatives include gold fillings and porcelain inlays. People have been using gold for fillings even longer than amalgam. You can still get gold fillings today, although they are not as popular as they were in years. Unsurprisingly, gold fillings are expensive, and as gold conducts heat and cold so efficiently, they can cause people to experience sensitivity. Still, they certainly have the bling factor!
Porcelain inlays are an extremely hard-wearing alternative to white fillings. Each one is custom-made and colour-matched, so nobody will distinguish it from the real thing. The downside is that these take longer to make and fit, so this choice is more expensive and time-consuming than white composite fillings.
Get Started Today
Contact our friendly, experienced team today to schedule your first consultation! Health funds are accepted and processed on the spot with HICAPS. We’re providers with HCF, MDF and Medibank. Additionally, we work with zipMoney to arrange payment plans that will work with your budget.
Common Questions For White Fillings
Can I eat after a filling?
Your dentist will usually recommend that you avoid eating for about two hours after a filling. This will give the anaesthetic time to wear off and reduce the risk of you accidentally biting the inside of your mouth. After that, you will be free to eat on the filling and tooth as normal after.
How painful is a tooth fillling?
You won’t feel any pain while having a filling, apart from the brief stinging sensation when the anaesthetic is administered. Cleaning the cavity and applying the filling will be entirely painless as the area where the dentist works will be numb. There could be minor soreness and sensitivity around the filled tooth for a day or two after the anaesthetic has worn off, but this will be temporary. Avoid very hot or very cold drinks immediately after getting a filling, as these can exacerbate the sensitivity.
How much does a white filling cost?
It depends on the size of the filling to be replaced, and we find our patients pay on average between $200-$350.
How long does a filling take?
From start to finish, a small filling will usually take between 30 and 40 minutes. If you have larger cavities or need multiple fillings, expect it to take a little longer.
Is it worth filling a tooth?
If you have a tooth cavity, it is vital to have it treated and filled. Leaving it will lead to sensitivity and toothache. Also, the longer it is left untreated, the more the decay will spread. Ultimately, it can lead to the loss of the entire tooth, cause infection and even spread to neighbouring teeth. So, it is worth getting a cavity treated and filled as soon as you become aware of it.
How long do white fillings last?
White fillings usually last 5 to 7 years as long as you follow a good dental hygiene routine. However, as the composite material has advanced significantly in recent years, white fillings inserted today could last much longer, even as long as 20 years.
How do I know if I need a filling?
Sometimes it is evident that something is wrong, for example, if you have sudden toothache or sensitivity in a particular area or if you can feel something different about a particular tooth when your tongue runs over it. Another sign is if your floss suddenly starts snagging on a particular tooth. Signs like these, however, usually indicate that the decay is quite advanced. Often a minor cavity presents no such symptoms. This is why it is so important to have regular check-ups, as your dentist will notice you need a filling long before the cavity advances to the stage where it gives you trouble.
Can fillings be prevented?
With regular brushing and flossing plus routine descaling from the hygienist, you will minimise the build-up of tartar. This certainly reduces the likelihood of cavities but is not a guarantee. Plenty of people still need fillings, even when they do everything right and follow the perfect dental hygiene regime.
As with all types of dental conditions that you may encounter throughout your life, preventative dentistry on is the key to avoid nearly all of them.