Dental Fillings

Save your teeth and enhance your smile

Dental Fillings

Save your teeth and enhance your smile

A dental filling is a restoration used to repair a tooth damaged by decay or fracture. The hole in the tooth is sealed with a dental filling and then bonded to the surrounding tooth structure.

At Leeming Dental, we use composite or porcelain fillings for functionality, health, and aesthetic reasons. Our dental fillings are biocompatible, mercury-free, non-toxic, and BPA-free. We believe that the materials used in composite and porcelain fillings are the best option for our patients.

Composite dental fillings

Composite dental fillings are a mixture of plastic and resin material that can be colour-matched to your natural teeth. Composite resin fillings are strong, durable, and can be used on front and back teeth.

Porcelain dental fillings

Porcelain dental fillings can also be colour-matched to your natural teeth. Porcelain dental fillings are less visible than composite resin fillings and are even stronger than composite and usually have a longer lifespan. They are highly durable and resistant to staining.

Amalgam dental fillings

Amalgam dental fillings are a combination of mercury, silver, tin, and copper alloy. Although not commonly used due to not being as aesthetically pleasing as composite or porcelain dental fillings.

There are low health risks associated with the materials used in amalgam fillings. Exposure to high levels of mercury vapour is linked to some health problems. Although the mercury found in amalgam only releases very low levels of mercury vapour, we prefer not to use or reduce amalgam dental fillings at Leeming Dental. If your dentist recommends this as the best option, it may be used in your treatment.

According to studies, people who fall under the following categories are more susceptible to the potential adverse impacts of mercury:

Women who are pregnant and their developing fetuses
Women who are thinking about getting pregnant
Breastfeeding mothers and their newborns
Children, particularly those under the age of six
People with a neurological condition
People with kidney impairment
People who are highly sensitive or allergic to mercury or other components of dental amalgam like silver, copper, and tin.

Dental filling procedure

It is important that the damaged tooth is examined and X-rayed to determine if a dental filling is the best treatment option. If a dental filling is required, the first step is to numb the affected area with a local anaesthetic. Then, the decay or fracture can be removed from the tooth. Once removed, the dental filling will be placed in the hole and bonded to the surrounding tooth structure. The dental filling will then be smoothed and polished to match the contour of the tooth.

After the treatment, you will be able to eat and drink as usual. It is important to avoid chewing on hard foods until the numbness from the dental filling wears off.

Leeming Dental Centre is here for your tooth restoration treatment or dental filling replacement. We would be happy to discuss your options with you and help you make the best decision for your oral health.

At Leeming Dental, we tailor our services to patients’ individual needs. We understand that every tooth is different, and every patient may have unique preferences. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.