Dental Fillings in Wellington – White & Tooth-Coloured Fillings

A cavity, chipped tooth or damaged filling can affect your comfort and oral health. Dental fillings help repair damaged teeth, restore their shape and protect the remaining tooth structure.

At Real Dentistry in Kilbirnie, Wellington, we provide natural-looking composite dental fillings to repair cavities and minor tooth damage. Our tooth-coloured fillings are designed to blend with your existing teeth while restoring their appearance and function.

Whether you have tooth sensitivity, a suspected cavity or an old filling that needs attention, our dental team can examine your tooth and recommend appropriate treatment.

Dental Fillings in Wellington – White & Tooth-Coloured Fillings

What Are Dental Fillings?

A dental filling is a restorative treatment used to repair a tooth affected by decay, wear or minor damage.

When a cavity develops, the dentist removes the decayed tooth material and restores the area with a suitable filling material. This helps restore the tooth’s shape and function and reduces the risk of further damage.

At Real Dentistry, we offer white, tooth-coloured composite fillings. Composite resin can be matched to the shade of your natural teeth, making it a popular option for both visible teeth and suitable back-tooth restorations.

What Are the Benefits of White Fillings?

Composite fillings offer several advantages:

Natural-looking appearance: The filling material can be colour-matched to blend with your surrounding tooth structure.

Strong bonding: Composite resin bonds to the prepared tooth, helping support the restoration.

Preserves tooth structure: In many cases, composite fillings require less removal of healthy tooth material than some traditional restorations.

Versatile treatment: Composite material can repair cavities, small chips and certain worn or damaged areas.

Mercury-free material: Composite fillings do not contain dental amalgam.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, composite fillings can remain functional for many years.

How Do I Know If I Need a Dental Filling?

Not every cavity causes pain. Some are discovered during a routine dental examination.

Possible signs that a tooth needs assessment include:

Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
Toothache or discomfort when chewing
A visible hole or dark area in a tooth
A chipped, cracked or rough tooth surface
A broken, loose or missing filling
Food repeatedly becoming trapped around a tooth

These symptoms can have several causes. A dental examination is needed to determine whether a filling or another treatment is appropriate.

If you have severe toothache, significant swelling or a broken tooth causing considerable pain, contact our team about emergency dental appointments.

What Happens During a Dental Filling Appointment?

1. Examination and Assessment

Your dentist examines the affected tooth and may recommend an X-ray to assess the extent of decay or damage.

We will explain the findings and discuss whether a filling is suitable.

2. Preparing the Tooth

Local anaesthetic may be used to numb the treatment area and improve comfort.
The dentist removes the decayed or damaged material and prepares the tooth for restoration.

3. Placing the Composite Filling

The tooth-coloured composite resin is carefully placed and shaped to restore the missing tooth structure.
A curing light is used to harden the material.

4. Checking Your Bite and Polishing

Your dentist checks the filling’s shape, fit and bite, making adjustments where necessary.
The restoration is then polished to create a smooth, natural-looking finish.
The length of the appointment depends on the size and location of the filling and the amount of treatment required.

Replacing Old or Damaged Dental Fillings

Dental fillings can wear, chip or become damaged over time. In some cases, decay may develop around an existing filling.
Your dentist can examine older restorations and recommend whether they should be repaired, monitored or replaced.
An existing silver or amalgam filling does not automatically need replacement simply because of its material. Treatment decisions should be based on the condition of the filling, the surrounding tooth and your individual circumstances.
If a tooth has extensive damage or insufficient remaining structure for a filling, your dentist may discuss other restorative options, including a dental crown.

How Much Do Dental Fillings Cost in Wellington?

The cost of a dental filling depends on several factors:

The size and depth of the cavity
Which tooth requires treatment
The number of tooth surfaces involved
Whether an existing filling needs replacement
Any additional assessment or treatment required

A small filling may involve less work than a larger restoration affecting several tooth surfaces.

At Real Dentistry, your dentist can assess the tooth and discuss the recommended treatment and associated costs.

You can also review our payment options.

How to Care for Your Dental Fillings

Good daily oral care helps protect both your fillings and natural teeth.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth and attend regular dental examinations.
After treatment, your tooth may feel temporarily sensitive. If local anaesthetic was used, avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off to reduce the risk of accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
Contact your dentist if sensitivity persists, your bite feels uneven or the filling becomes damaged.
Routine examinations and professional dental hygiene appointments can help maintain your oral health.

Does getting a dental filling hurt?

Local anaesthetic is commonly used when needed to numb the tooth during treatment. You may notice pressure or vibration, and some temporary sensitivity can occur afterwards.

How long do white dental fillings last?

Composite fillings can last for many years. Their lifespan depends on the size and location of the restoration, chewing forces, oral hygiene and other individual factors.

Can a white filling be used on a back tooth?

Yes. Composite fillings can be suitable for many back teeth. Your dentist will assess the size of the cavity and the forces on the tooth before recommending a restoration.

Can an old filling be replaced with a white filling?

An old or damaged filling may be replaced with composite material when clinically appropriate. Your dentist will assess the condition of the existing filling and the remaining tooth structure before recommending treatment.

Can I eat after a dental filling?

Composite fillings are hardened during treatment. However, if local anaesthetic has been used, wait until the numbness wears off before chewing. Follow any additional instructions provided by your dentist.

What happens if a cavity is too large for a filling?

A large cavity may weaken the tooth to the point where a conventional filling is not the most suitable option. Depending on the extent of damage, your dentist may recommend a crown, root canal treatment or another treatment.

How do I know if my filling needs replacing?

A filling may need assessment if it becomes loose, cracked, rough or painful, or if decay develops around it. Regular examinations can also identify problems that are not immediately noticeable.

Book Your Filling Appointment Today

If you have a cavity or suspect that your tooth is damaged, don’t wait to get it treated. Real Dentistry in Kilbirnie offers professional, tooth-coloured fillings that restore your teeth and protect them from further damage. Our experienced team will ensure that your filling is comfortable, durable, and blends in seamlessly with your smile.

Book your appointment online or call us at 04 387 9392 to schedule your filling treatment.

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