Fillings are the most common treatment for cavities. They can be used to repair the surfaces of your teeth, close gaps in between your teeth and strengthen tooth structure.

When a cavity forms, it can weaken the tooth structure, making it more likely to crack or break. This is why it’s so important to treat any cavities as soon as possible.

If you’re not sure if your tooth has a cavity or what you can do about it, call your dentist. He or she will be able to tell you.

You may also notice changes in your tooth’s appearance. If you see any discoloration or unusual changes in your tooth, ask your dentist.

What are fillings?

Fillings are tiny amounts of resin-based material that harden into solid, tooth-like substances. These materials help repair the surfaces of your teeth, close gaps between your teeth and strengthen tooth structure.

Fillings can be used to repair:

• Damaged areas of the tooth
• Gaps between teeth
• Cracks
• Chipped, broken or missing teeth
• Cavities

Treatment for cavities is usually done by the dentist. During the procedure, your dentist will use a drill to remove decay or tooth decay from the tooth, then fill the hole with a resin-based material.

You may feel a slight pressure or heat while the filling is being applied. It should only take a minute or two.

Fillings can be permanent or temporary. A temporary filling lasts until your next visit to the dentist. If you don’t see your dentist for a few weeks, you can brush and floss your teeth to try and clean up the decay before it gets worse.

Fillings may cause:

• Slight tooth sensitivity
• Stress or discomfort when eating
• Bleeding

If you have any questions or concerns about your fillings, call your dentist.

Fillings can be made using one of the following materials:

• Tooth-like materials
• Gold-based materials
• Silver-based materials
• Porcelain-based materials

How does it work?

First, we’ll take an X-ray of your teeth to see exactly what’s causing the problem. Then we’ll explain the procedure to you and discuss your options. Depending on the severity of your tooth decay, we may recommend one of several possible treatments.

You may be given a local anaesthetic during the procedure to make the treatment more comfortable.

What is it?

The purpose of a filling is to stop a small cavity from becoming larger.

It’s a small amount of tooth-colored material that is placed into a tooth to repair a small cavity.

The material that we use is called composite resin. It’s made from a combination of glass and resin. When you have a filling, it looks and feels like your natural tooth.

We can also use composite resin to seal up tiny cracks in the enamel of your teeth.

Permanent or temporary?

Fillings are considered permanent. They usually stay in place indefinitely, unless they crack or become loose.

Temporary fillings usually last for six months to a year. At this time, your dentist will remove them and you can brush and floss your teeth to try and clean up the decay.

If your tooth fills fall out or are accidentally removed, your dentist will be able to re-apply the filling and make another temporary filling.