Fillings

What is a filling?

A filling is a common dental repair that fills a cavity in a tooth.

Commonly due to decay or damage, cavities can often remain hidden under the tooth surface. Cavities can cause sensitivity, tooth ache or pain if they are untreated.

A filling is an amalgam (silver) or resin composite material (tooth coloured) that is permanently bonded into the tooth. Fillings strengthen and extend the life of the tooth by preventing further damage.

Do I need a filling?

If you have toothache, tooth pain or feel sensitivity when eating, it may be the symptom of a dental cavity that requires treatment.

Dental cavities can typically cause:

• Sensitivity when drinking hot or cold drinks.
• Tooth pain when biting.
• Bad breath.
• Darkness on the side of the tooth.

After your dental examination, your dentist will advise you on the most appropriate treatment, which may involve a filling.

What happens during a filling procedure?

When a cavity is suspected or has been detected, an X-ray of your mouth and teeth is normally taken to establish the extent of the cavity inside the tooth.

Your dentist will begin the treatment by numbing the area around the damaged tooth with a local anaesthetic.

The tooth is opened out to expose the cavity so that damaged parts of the tooth can be removed.

Once the cavity has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, depending on which you choose, silver amalgam or tooth-coloured composite resin is then firmly packed and carved into place inside the tooth.

When the filling sets, the surface is smoothed off to remove any rough spots.

Your dentist will then check your bite to ensure there is no discomfort when you close your teeth together.

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