Dental Fillings in Ocean Grove
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay, wear or a chip, restoring its shape and function. It is the most common treatment in dentistry, and catching a problem while a filling will still fix it is the whole point of regular check-ups.
Ocean Breeze Dental has treated patients across Ocean Grove and the Bellarine Peninsula for over 30 years. To arrange an appointment, call (03) 5255 2584.
A written treatment plan and quote before any treatment begins
What a filling does
Decay dissolves tooth structure. It does not grow back. A filling removes the decayed tissue and replaces the missing structure with a material bonded or packed into the space, sealing the tooth against further bacterial entry and letting you chew normally again.
The earlier a cavity is found, the smaller the filling and the more of your own tooth is kept. Left long enough, decay reaches the nerve, and the treatment becomes root canal treatment or extraction rather than a filling.
Signs you may need one
- Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweet food that settles quickly once the source is removed
- A rough edge or a hole you can feel with your tongue
- Food consistently catching between the same two teeth
- A dull ache after eating
- A dark spot or shadow on a tooth
- An old filling that feels chipped, or has a visible gap around its edge
Early decay usually causes no symptoms at all. That is why it is generally picked up at a check-up rather than because something hurt. If it hurts, the problem is usually further along.
What we use, and why
Composite resin is the tooth-coloured material used for most fillings at the practice. It bonds to the tooth, which means less healthy structure needs removing, and it is matched to the shade of the tooth beside it.
Glass ionomer releases fluoride and is often used for children’s teeth, for fillings at the gum line, and as a temporary or foundation material.
Amalgam, the silver material, is still durable and is occasionally the right choice where moisture control is difficult or the load is heavy. It is used far less often than it once was. If you have existing amalgam fillings that are sound, there is no clinical reason to replace them simply because of the material.
We will tell you which material we are recommending for your tooth and why, rather than defaulting to one for everything.
What happens at the appointment
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic. For very small fillings that do not approach the nerve, anaesthetic is sometimes not needed, and we will discuss that with you first rather than assuming.
The decay is removed, the tooth is cleaned and prepared, and the filling material is placed in layers and set. We then check your bite and adjust it so the tooth meets its opposite number evenly. Most single fillings take around 30 to 45 minutes.
Composite fillings are fully set when you leave, so you can eat as soon as the numbness has gone. Take care not to bite your cheek or lip while it wears off, which usually takes two to three hours.
Risks and limitations you should know about
- Sensitivity afterwards. Sensitivity to cold or to biting is common for a few weeks after a filling, particularly a deep one, and usually settles.
- The tooth may later need root canal treatment. Where decay was close to the nerve, the pulp can become inflamed despite the filling. This can happen weeks or years later.
- Fillings do not last forever. They wear, chip and can leak at the margin. New decay can start around the edge of an existing filling.
- A filling can be lost or fracture, particularly a large one in a heavily loaded tooth.
- Bite adjustment. If the filling feels high when the anaesthetic wears off, contact us. It is a quick adjustment and leaving it can cause ongoing discomfort.
- Some teeth are too broken down to fill. Where more than about half the biting surface is missing, a filling may not be the right answer.
When a filling is not enough
Not every damaged tooth should be filled. Where a large amount of structure is missing, or the tooth is cracked, adding more filling material can leave the remaining walls thin and prone to fracture. A crown may hold the tooth together better.
Where decay has reached the pulp, the tooth needs root canal treatment before it can be restored. And where a tooth has split below the gum, it may not be restorable at all. We will tell you honestly which situation you are in, including when the answer is that nothing needs doing yet.
How we quote
Fees vary with the size of the filling, the number of surfaces involved and the material used, so we quote after an examination rather than publishing a figure that would not apply to you.
You get a written treatment plan listing every item, the item numbers and the total, before treatment starts, and time to check the rebate with your health fund. We claim on the spot through HICAPS, so you pay only the gap on the day. Nothing proceeds until you have accepted the plan.
Dental Fillings FAQs
Does having a filling hurt?
The appointment is carried out under local anaesthetic. Tell us during the appointment if you feel discomfort, as more anaesthetic can be given. Some sensitivity in the following weeks is normal.
How long will a filling last?
We do not publish a lifespan figure, because it depends on the size of the filling, where it sits, your bite, whether you grind, and how it is maintained. Your dentist will discuss the outlook for your tooth.
Can I eat straight afterwards?
With a composite filling, yes, once the numbness has worn off. Avoid chewing on that side while your lip and tongue are still numb.
Should I have my amalgam fillings replaced?
Not simply because they are amalgam. Sound fillings are best left alone; replacing them removes more tooth structure. We would recommend replacement where a filling has failed, decayed underneath or fractured.
Can decay be reversed without a filling?
Very early enamel decay can sometimes be remineralised and monitored rather than filled. Once decay has broken through into the dentine, it needs restoring. We will tell you which stage yours is at.
My filling feels high. Is that normal?
It should not stay that way. Contact us and we will adjust it, which usually takes a few minutes.
Book an appointment
If you have a tooth that is sensitive, chipped or catching food, call Ocean Breeze Dental on (03) 5255 2584 or book online.
We are at Unit 12, 73 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, with lift access and street parking nearby. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm, and Tuesday and Thursday until 7:30pm. We see patients from Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Wallington, Drysdale and across the Bellarine Peninsula.
This page provides general information about a dental procedure. It is not personal dental advice and does not replace an examination. Whether a filling is the right treatment for your tooth can only be determined by a dentist after assessing you. All treatment carries risks, which are set out above and will be discussed with you before you consent to treatment.