Dental Fillings

wdental fillings

Restore Your Smile With Dental Fillings in South Lake

According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), cavities, or tooth decay, are one of the most common oral problems in Australia today, with more than 90% of Australians experiencing them at some point in their lives.
If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to further complications as the bacteria may spread to surrounding teeth and tissues. For example, it could cause a tooth abscess, difficulty chewing, and tooth damage.
The good news is that as current dentistry has developed to include more precise diagnostic and treatment methods, your tooth filling material options have improved as well. Today, dentists provide a variety of restorative dental filling materials based on the teeth and the demands of their patients.

The Benefits of A Dental Fillings

A dental filling is a procedure used to fill a hole, or cavity, in a tooth. But they offer a number of benefits, such as that they also restore the function and aesthetic concerns of the tooth. Composite resin, silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, or glass ionomer can all be used to make fillings.
Your dentist and you will determine what type of filling is best for you based on your specific needs, but proactively addressing tooth decay will do a lot to preserve your teeth and gums.

1.) Can repair cracked teeth

Dental fillings are commonly thought to be solely useful in cases of tooth decay. Though fillings are most typically used to repair decayed areas of teeth, they also have other functions. Tooth fillings can also be used to repair cracked or chipped teeth.

2.) It prevents the cavity from spreading

Your dentist will clean out the decayed part of your tooth when you receive a filling. He or she will next pour in the dental filling material, sealing the cavity’s hole. This protects the nerve endings in your dentine from the temperatures of the foods you consume and the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. When you have cavities, the exposure of these nerves often causes toothaches and increased sensitivity.

3.) Cost-effective and long-lasting

One advantage of dental fillings is that they can last for decades before needing replacement. Cast gold fillings or porcelain fillings may last up to fifteen years. In fact, some of these fillings last even longer. Most dental fillings today are corrosion-resistant. Though a filling that lasts up to two decades may cost a little extra, it will protect your tooth for a long time and give you priceless peace of mind.

4.) It strengthens the tooth structure.

Composite fillings help to strengthen your tooth structure. Instead of the cavity hollowing out the tooth, the filling will provide much-needed support. Fillings are only temporary solutions, so there is no harm done to your tooth during their placement.

Why Choose South Lake Smiles
for Dental Fillings in South Lake,
Western Australia?

South Lake Smiles is equipped with advanced technology. We believe that you deserve the best dental care. Hence, our dental team is updated with the latest information about dental restorations, including dental fillings.

Our friendly team will work closely with you to help you choose the ideal restorative care and whether dental fillings will benefit you. Furthermore, our dentists have training and experience in treating patients with tooth fillings.

Our goal is to help maintain good oral health. South Lake Smiles offers different types of dental fillings such as dental amalgam, composite resin, gold, and porcelain. We will help you to achieve healthy teeth! Book an appointment with us today! Call (08) 6495 4004!

img13

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings

There are many signs that you need dental fillings, such as pain when biting down on certain foods or drinks, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures (especially if it seems to be getting worse), bumps around your gum line near your teeth.

Dental amalgam fillings are composed of a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Because of its durability and affordable cost, amalgam was the most commonly used filling for a long time. The disadvantage is that it does not complement the natural colour of the teeth. Because of the presence of mercury, this is the type of filling that most people are concerned about—but it is essential to mention that this is not the same mercury that causes health risks.

According to the most recent studies, all types of fillings that dentists use are safe for patients.

The FDA recommends using alternatives like composite resin and glass cement fillings for vulnerable individuals. They also do not advise removing or replacing amalgam fillings once they are in place and in good condition. Removal may increase your exposure to mercury vapour and harm the healthy tooth structure.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-amalgam-fillings

Amalgam fillings can cause allergic reactions in some people. In rare cases, allergic reactions to amalgam dental fillings, such as oral sores, swelling, or rashes, have been described. Consult your dentist if you have any concerns regarding silver fillings.

You can expect to spend approximately an hour at the dental clinic. This allows the dentist sufficient time to perform necessary x-rays, discuss the process with you, and perform the dental procedure. Your dentist will numb your teeth, gums, and surrounding skin prior to filling cavities to eliminate or minimise discomfort during the process. The dentist will next take out the decay and replace it with a filling.

You may expect your mouth to feel numb for several hours after the procedure. While there are no severe risks involved with cavity filling, it is a good idea to have your dentist’s contact information on hand in case of any problems or complications.

Following the treatment, you should avoid hot or cold foods and beverages, but you should be able to eat normally.

Practising proper oral hygiene habits can help in maintaining your tooth fillings in good condition. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily, using mouthwash, and flossing. We recommend seeing a dentist more regularly (twice a year) for professional teeth cleanings, fluoride treatment, and regular dental checkups.

If they notice that the dental fillings are broken or leaking, they will take the necessary measures to assess the problem.

If you have sensitive teeth, you feel a sharp edge, notice a crack in the filling, or if a piece of the filling is missing, call your dentist for an appointment.

Although there is no evidence that mercury exposure from dental amalgam causes adverse health consequences in the general population, mercury exposure may pose a greater health risk to the groups of people listed below, who may be more susceptible to potential mercury-related negative impacts.

  • Pregnant women
  • Women who intend to become pregnant.
  • Nursing women
  • Young children under six years of age.
  • People with previous neurological diseases
  • People who have kidney problems and/or are on dialysis
  • Allergic to mercury or other elements (silver, copper, tin) in dental amalgam.

The cost of dental fillings is determined by a variety of factors, including the type of material used, which may be composite or amalgam, the position of the affected tooth, and the number of tooth surfaces that require filling. A simple filling can cost up to $275, while a more complex filling might cost up to $475.

The following table shows the average total cost of dental fillings in Western Australia:

  • White Filling Adhesive on the back tooth (5 surfaces): $304 to $417
  • White Filling Adhesive on the front tooth (5 surfaces): $293 to $400

If you need dental treatment, private health insurance may provide a range of coverage options to meet your needs and contribute to the cost of dental work.

Extras policies typically cover a range of services divided into two broad categories: general dental and major dental, which includes endodontics and orthodontics.

General dental benefits assist in paying for preventative care treatments such as oral exams, scale and cleans, simple tooth fillings, mouthguards, x-rays, tooth extractions, and, in some cases, teeth whitening. However, complex dental fillings may fall under ‘Major Dental’ which requires a higher level of coverage.

Take the first steps toward your

perfect smile today!

footer ctaa img