White Fillings
Keep your teeth healthy
Christies Beach - Morphett Vale - Adelaide
- Mon, Wed: 8:30am – 8pm
- Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30am – 5pm
- Sat: 8:30am – 1pm
White (composite) fillings are the most basic restorative dental treatment
Fillings can prevent the need for extensive dental work
Where previously amalgam fillings were used, dentists today use white fillings. This is for a two reasons: white fillings look better than amalgam fillings and require less healthy tooth structure to be removed.
With amalgam fillings healthy tooth structure must be drilled away and then the filling does not completely fill the cavity. The main problem with this is it leaves rooms for further decay to develop. White (composite) fillings are matched to the shade and colour of your natural teeth and no healthy tooth structure is removed.
The way composite (white) fillings are placed leaves no space for decay to form beneath the filling. However, this does not mean your tooth will be impervious to decay. You will still need to look after your oral health. Decay can damage the healthy tooth structure under the tooth if you don’t look after your teeth. If you are suffering toothache, even mild toothache, you should visit the dentist. Treating the problem early can be the difference between a filling and root canal therapy.
Symptoms to look out for:
Traditionally, porcelain veneers would take two appointments to place. The first appointment would involve taking moulds with unpleasant putty material and then having temporary veneers placed while you wait for the porcelain veneers to be fabricated in a lab. The second appointment would involve the removal of temporary veneers and the placement of the porcelain veneers.
- Bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Throbbing sensation in the gums
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please visit Coast Dental in Christies Beach today.
The white (composite) filling treatment process
The treatment for white (composite) fillings can be completed in just one appointment depending on how many teeth you need treated. Your teeth will be cleaned and the area around the tooth that needs to be treated will be kept dry. Then the decay will be cleaned out of the tooth and the composite material placed. An ultra-violet light will be used to harden the material giving you a natural tooth.
If the decay is bad and a lot of tooth structure had to be removed one of our dentists may recommend a dental crown. The purpose of which will be to strengthen and protect your tooth. A particularly large filling may cause the tooth to be structurally weak and therefore chewing or biting hard could cause it to crack. By having a dental crown you can ensure your tooth stays healthy for longer.
White fillings are still susceptible to gum disease, trauma, decay and other oral health issues so it is important you maintain optimal oral hygiene. You should also attend Coast Dental in Christies Beach for regular six-month check-ups to ensure your continued optimal oral health.
FAQs
Do you offer tooth-coloured fillings?
Yes, we offer tooth-coloured fillings. Also known as white fillings, tooth-coloured fillings are a modern alternative to traditional amalgam metal fillings. They look much better than amalgam fillings and require less healthy tooth structure to be removed during the placement process. White fillings are matched to the exact shade and colour of your natural teeth, so they blend in very well with your smile. The white filling process can be completed in just one visit to the dentist, which makes it a convenient and fairly simple treatment.
What does a filling treatment involve?
If you need a filling, we will start by cleaning your damaged tooth as well as the area around it. The decay will be removed from the tooth, and a composite material will be placed in the area of treatment. We will then use an ultra-violet light to harden the composite material. The composite material is white, so it will blend in with your remaining teeth and give you a completely natural-looking appearance. We recommend that you come in for regular check-ups after you have had a filling to ensure your continued optimal oral health.
What are my options if a filling won't work?
If your tooth is severely decayed and a lot of tooth structure has to be removed, a filling may not be the appropriate treatment for you. In this case, we may recommend that you have a dental crown placed. A dental crown will help to strengthen and protect your tooth and ensure that it stays healthy in the long term. Sometimes, large fillings may cause the structure of the tooth to weaken and crack, so a crown is often a better option in this case. We will advise you of the best treatment based on your particular needs.
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To book an appointment at our Christies Beach dental practice, please contact us today.
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