Dental Fillings Spearwood

Even with excellent oral care, cavities can still appear. At Exceptional Dental Care, we offer white fillings that match the natural shade of your teeth, restoring your smile without the look of traditional silver fillings.

White fillings are not only discreet but also mercury-free, making them a safer and more aesthetically pleasing choice. With more than 90% of Australians experiencing tooth decay in their lifetime, fillings remain one of the most common and effective treatments to protect your teeth and maintain your oral health.

What are dental fillings?

When you have a cavity in your tooth, it means there is a hole in the centre of that tooth. These holes are bad for several reasons.

Cavities can expose the nerves in your teeth, which can cause anything from minor discomfort due to greater sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink, to significant pain due to nerve damage. Additionally, if the nerve dies, you will likely need a larger procedure to treat the tooth, such as a root canal.

Your dentist will suggest the best option for your teeth - it usually depends on the placement of the tooth that needs a filling - and you can decide on the best filling material together.

The advantages of dental fillings

Dental fillings are a popular option for the following reasons:

• Prevent further damage and discomfort: A lot of dental discomfort and damage comes from cavities and dental decay, and a dental filling is a great way to stop the damage and treat the pain.
• Quick and easy: Dental fillings are extremely quick and easy. Most people will be in and out within 30 minutes, so it can be completed during a work break.
• Long-lasting: With good dental care, dental fillings will generally last for at least a decade. Fillings made from gold can last for even longer, for as much as 20 years or more.

How do dental fillings work?

Even if you think you have a cavity, your dentist will still want to book a check-up to inspect and confirm the issue. They will then book a second appointment to have the filling done.

Here is what to expect during your dental filling appointment:

• Your dentist will inject a local anaesthetic to completely numb the area
• They will use a special tool to remove the decay from the tooth
• They will fill the cavity
• They will shape and polish the tooth so it feels natural to bite onto
• The area will still feel numb for a few hours following the treatment
• The whole treatment will usually only take 20-30 minutes
• The site may feel a little tender for the next day, so avoid biting down on hard foods
• Your dentist will check on the filling during your next routine appointment

The ability to colour-match

Your tooth-coloured filling is made of high-quality composite material that’s also affordable. The filling will be crafted to match your other teeth. Because the material bonds directly to the tooth, it can be used on most areas of your teeth. For those who don’t want a white filling, we also offer gold or metal fillings.

How do I know if I have tooth decay?

During routine appointments, dentists will check for tooth decay with a visual inspection and x-ray scans. They may discover tooth decay during this process.

However, for many people, the first signs of decay are found at home. Tooth decay often causes discomfort and pain, leading to an appointment with the dentist.

These are some of the signs that you've got tooth decay:

• Sensitivity when you eat hot, cold, or sugary food or drinks.
• An ache around a tooth.
• Pain when you bite down.
• A hole that you can feel with your tongue, or see when you look in a mirror.
• Black, brown, or white staining on a tooth.

How to avoid tooth decay

While tooth fillings are a great option for treating tooth decay, it’s always best to avoid getting cavities in the first place. This means brushing for two minutes twice per day, flossing every day, and avoiding consuming lots of sugary food and drink. That’s because plaque and bacteria in your mouth can feed on sugars and build up on your teeth, where they erode the enamel and cause cavities and other damage.

Taking care of your teeth is crucial to your overall health, as there are links between oral health and heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Smoking and other bad habits exacerbate already compromised dental health for adults, so it's important to maintain a great oral health routine and regular dental check-ups.

Whether you think you need a filling or would like a check-up to help avoid needing fillings in the future, get in touch with our friendly team to schedule an appointment.