Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are done when there is decay in the tooth. Decay is caused by bacteria and acid in the mouth. Sometimes decay can cause pain and sensitivity, which will let you know it is time to see a dentist, but most often you won’t notice anything at all. Regular check-ups and x-rays with the dentist will help catch the decay in its early stages before it becomes painful. It is best (and often cheaper) to treat the decay promptly rather than waiting for toothache to develop, as pain often indicates that more extensive treatment may be required.

Dental fillings involve cleaning out the decay and then building the tooth back up to its original shape. The tooth is numbed first with a local anaesthetic for your comfort, and then specialist drills are used to remove the decay. Once the decay is cleared, the dentist will use a special resin to fill the tooth back in. The resin sets instantly and is matched to your tooth’s colour for a quick and seamless finish. A little bit of extra drilling may be required after the resin is placed to shape and smooth down the new filling, then you are good to go.