Nowadays, getting a filling is a virtually painless procedure, as our skilled dentists will first numb the tooth and the area around it. Once the anaesthetic takes effect, they will begin to remove any decay. The goal here is to preserve as much of the natural, sound tooth structure as possible. Next, our dentists will clean and dry the cavity before inserting the final filling material (usually composite resin or glass-ionomer cement) in place. Once the material hardens, the filling will be shaped to look and feel the way your natural tooth did. In following this protocol, filling materials act to complement the rest of the tooth’s structure, with no need for metal or crowns.

Sometimes, your dentist may suggest a fissure seal rather than a filling, which can provide a quick and easy solution to prevent the need for fillings down the track. In these cases, the pits and fissures in the back teeth can be so deep that it’s impossible for the bristles of a toothbrush to keep the surface clean which can make it a breeding ground for bacteria and result in decay. The fissure seal is a dental sealant that fills the pits and fissures and becomes a barrier to plaque, bacteria and food debris.