Fillings

What are Fillings?

Modern Solutions for a Beautiful, Long-Lasting Smile

Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Many people don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about they way they look. As time passes, amalgam fillings can make the surrounding tooth appear grey and unsightly. Old, ugly, or worn out fillings are replaced by modern, tooth coloured filling materials, which give a high aesthetic result. The restorations are bonded to the tooth, feel very natural and colour-matched to the surrounding tooth, making them appear almost invisible.

Are they as good as silver fillings?
White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver fillings. But there are now new materials available with properties comparable to silver amalgam, and these are proving to be very successful. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.

Is it worth replacing my amalgam fillings with white ones?
It is usually best to change fillings only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to have it replaced with a tooth-coloured material.

What are tooth-coloured fillings made of?
This can vary, but they are mainly made of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient

The Advice Area

While you are waiting to be seen by one of our team, here are a few things you can do at home to bring you relief

Please note, the advice outlined below is not a substitute to seeing a dentist and will not provide you with a long term solution, so please make an appointment to see one of the team if you have not already done so.

I have a broken filling

Fillings can wear down over time and require replacement. If you have a filling that has broken, it may require replacement. Please call us to arrange an appointment to have your broken filling checked and treated.

My tooth feels sensitive after filling, what does this mean?

When there is decay in a tooth, it requires cleaning and for a filling to rebuild the tooth. Sometimes the nerve in the tooth can become irritated following a filling, especially if the decay is deep. The easiest way to treat this is to use desensitising paste over the tooth. Rub a small pea sized amount onto the tooth and leave it in place overnight.

If the pain becomes constant, is worse with hot drinks or keeps you awake at night, you might require further treatment in the tooth, such as a root canal filling.

What does having a filling involve?

This involves having a small injection to get the tooth numb. Following on from this, there is a short period of cleaning the tooth with a drill and then rebuilding the tooth with a silver or white filling. Fillings can take 15-60 minutes to complete.

How do I look after my fillings?

Much the same way as you look after your normal teeth. Brush and floss well around them to ensure any food debris is removed. This will prevent further decay developing around your teeth.

Smile Dental Clinic gives you a reason to keep smiling and to feel confident about it!

We also offer treatments that improve the appearance of your smile – giving you the confidence boost you deserve.

General

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Specialist

Cosmetic