Dental Fillings

Dental Filling

Any material placed inside a tooth cavity is called a ‘filling’, although they’re also used to fix chips and cracks.

Cavities are essentially holes in teeth caused by decay or damage. If the holes keep getting bigger they’ll become painful and eventually the tooth may have to be removed. If a chip, crack or cavity develops, you should get an appointment at your friendly dentist in Birkenhead since a broken tooth costs a lot to replace. The purpose of dental filling is to restore the structural and functional properties of the affected teeth by replacing the missing parts. Filling is a much simpler and shorter procedure than a root canal treatment or implants, which may be required if teeth with cavities are not filled in time.

Dental Filling. How?

After an assessment at your local dentist in Birkenhead, you’ll know if a filling is needed. The affected tooth will first have to be cleaned and prepared. Natural teeth cavities are uneven and some shaping is needed before a filling. Decayed areas also need to be removed since the filling needs to bond with the strong surfaces. The procedure is always done under local anaesthetic to ensure that you feel nothing at all. The cleaned cavity is then dried and applied with a thin layer of Fluoride or Calcium releasing lining. This lining helps to reduce the sensitives and helps the tooth to heal. The next step is to place a filling material in the freshly cleaned cavity to seal tightly. Depending on the material chosen by the patient, the filling may be applied in layers or all at once. Composite (aka White Fillings) and Amalgam (aka Silver Fillings) will only take one short visit to place. Porcelain and Gold filings will take 2 visits to finish (See below for more information). The last step is to fine polish the newly placed dental fillings.

Types of fillings

Dental fillings can be composite, ceramic, amalgam or gold, all of which are available at Mokoia Road, your community dentist in Birkenhead.

Composites (White dental fillings)

Amalgams (Silver dental fillings)

Porcelain (ceramic) fillings

Gold fillings

Composites (White dental fillings)

Amalgams (Silver dental fillings)

Porcelain (ceramic) fillings

Gold fillings

Maintenance and care

he first thing to check after getting your teeth filled is that it shouldn’t restrict your normal bite. Sometimes tooth sensitivity may develop after dental fillings, which will usually gradually subside on its own in a few weeks. Your dentist in Birkenhead will recommend a desensitizing toothpaste (Sensodyne Repair and Protect, Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief) if needed. Some habits can cause fillings to chip, crack or wear which may remain unnoticed at first. It is best to get routine 6 monthly check-ups after a filling even if everything seems to be going well. Long term care includes regular brushing, flossing maintaining good oral hygiene and avoid hard food.

Broken Tooth Costs

Broken tooth costs a lot more if left unrepaired over a period of time because the condition worsen everyday leaving the tooth exposed. Give us, your local dentist in Birkenhead a ring and our gentle and caring dentists will do our best to see you on the day to repair the tooth.

Dental Fillings

Dental Filling

Any material placed inside a tooth cavity is called a ‘filling’, although they’re also used to fix chips and cracks.

Dental Filling. How?

Types of fillings

Maintenance and care

Broken Tooth Costs

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