Fillings
Your Guide to Dental Fillings in the Blue Mountains
Finding out you have a cavity can be a bit of a shock, but the good news is that a dental filling is a simple, effective, and routine procedure to restore your tooth’s health and strength. A tooth filling is the first line of defence against decay, helping to prevent the problem from getting worse and saving you from more extensive treatments down the line.
At our Leura practice, we’re dedicated to providing gentle, high-quality care that not only protects your oral health but also restores your smile with natural, long-lasting results.
When Do You Need a Dental Filling?
When bacteria in your mouth produce acid, they can wear away the outer layer of your tooth (enamel), creating a hole known as a cavity. If left untreated, this cavity will get bigger, and the decay can spread, leading to:
- Pain and Sensitivity: As the decay gets closer to the nerve, you may experience toothache or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
- Wider Damage: The cavity can grow, weakening the tooth and making it more susceptible to cracking or breaking.
- Infection: In advanced stages, decay can reach the inner pulp of the tooth, causing a severe infection that may require a root canal or even an extraction.
A tooth filling seals the cavity, stopping the decay in its tracks and protecting the tooth from further damage, allowing you to chew and smile with confidence again.
Our Modern, Tooth-Coloured Fillings
We believe in using the best materials and techniques for a result that is both healthy and beautiful. That’s why we exclusively use modern, tooth-coloured materials for our dental fillings.
- Composite Fillings: These are made from a resin material that can be perfectly matched to the shade of your natural teeth, making them virtually invisible. They bond directly to the tooth, providing excellent support while requiring less removal of healthy tooth structure compared to older materials.
- Ceramic (Porcelain) Fillings: For larger cavities or teeth under heavy chewing pressure, a ceramic filling (also known as an inlay or onlay) is often the ideal choice. These are custom-made in a lab for a precise fit, and their strength and stain resistance are second to none. They are the longest-lasting of the tooth-coloured options.
We do not use amalgam (silver) fillings, as we believe in providing mercury-free and aesthetically superior restorations.
