Once decay has taken hold in a tooth, it will continue to damage more and more of the tooth, becoming more painful until treated by a dentist. A filling repairs the damage caused by decay and stops any more bacteria from entering the tooth. Fillings can be made of a number of different materials and can be used to repair any tooth in the mouth.
When Are Fillings Needed?
Most people are not aware they need a filling – this usually follows a dental exam and x-rays. A filling is a preventative measure to protect the tooth from further decay. It is important to have regular dental check-ups so that the need for a filling can be diagnosed early.
What Filling Material Do We Use?
We use a non-toxic, biocompatible bonded tooth coloured filling material. We are very particular about matching the filling colour to your existing teeth. If your teeth are badly chipped or in fact broken, we may also consider porcelain restorations (often referred to as inlays or onlays).
Old Amalgam Fillings. Should I Get These Removed?
Amalgam (mercury alloy) has been previously used as a filling material. We never use amalgam in any of our procedures. We can safely remove amalgam fillings if necessary. Although, if they aren’t causing you trouble, it is better to leave amalgam fillings alone.
Can I Eat Or Drink After A Composite Filling?
Patients are often surprised when we say they can eat and drink immediately after a white composite filling. This is possible because the light used to harden the filling makes them ready to use!