Dental Fillings
We'll Patch Things Up In No Time!
Fillings are a solution to certain issues like small holes and enamel breakdowns in the teeth. However, the main thing we use fillings for is to prevent more severe tooth decay. What happens with your teeth is plaque and calculus can build up over time. This can cause erosion of the minerals in your teeth. As minerals in the enamel break down, your back teeth will begin to have stains appear in the pits and grooves of the chewing surfaces. This is what we call early tooth decay. As tooth decay worsens, it can break through the pits and grooves of the tooth. This causes the tooth to become dark in colour and a cavity can form in the tooth.
This can be avoided with a simple filling when treated early. When you come in for a checkup, we may notice some discolouration and damage to the teeth. We know that if we treat this area with a filling that we are helping to extend the lifetime of your tooth. For us, it is all about keeping the surrounding tooth structure intact. This will prevent further decay and help us to avoid having to use a crown on your tooth. Crowns are needed when the tooth decay is very large and there is little tooth structure left to hold a filling. In cases like this, the decay must be removed and a filling done before placing a crown on the tooth.
Dental Fillings Brisbane Procedure and Cost
30 Minute to 1 Hour Appointment
Appointment Process
This appointment length varies depending on the amount of teeth.
Removal of tooth decay, broken down tooth structure and old filling material. Restoration of the tooth with white filling material, shaping and polishing. Checking it looks and feels good and fits well against other teeth.
Items 531, 532, 533, 534 or 535 – White Fillings for Back Teeth, Different Sizes
Description: White fillings for back teeth, different sizes.
Cost: $90-$300 depending on size.
Items 521, 522, 523, 524 or 525 – White Fillings for Front Teeth, Different Sizes
Description: White fillings for back teeth, different sizes.
Cost: $90-$300 depending on size.
What Filling Will You Use?
When it comes time to have a filling you will not be short on options. If you want to make a decision based on price, you have the option of metal amalgam or silver dental fillings. These fillings contain mercury, and there is some unfounded concern over that. The fillings are stable when set and are safe as a dental material. They will not match the colour of teeth and do not bond to tooth structure so are not used much any more. If you want a more aesthetic solution, you’ll like white fillings. These are the most common fillings used today. They are not as strong as amalgam and are more costly. However, less drilling is required because the dentist does not need to shape the tooth as much to hold the filling securely.
Composite resin is a white filling option. This is basically plastic reinforced by fine glass particles and gives great aesthetics and smoothness. The main concern is that when it bonds to tooth structure it can shrink during setting which can produce gaps between the tooth structure and filling material. This can lead to further tooth decay. Our dentists place this filling material in thin layers to minimise these risks. Another option is glass ionomer. This is the newest technology and is based on calcium and fluoride minerals which are found in teeth. They chemically bond to tooth structure and release fluoride which prevents leakage around the filling and protects the tooth from further decay. They are more gentle to the nerves of the tooth so are great for cavities which are very deep and close to the nerve of the tooth.
It Might Be Time To Fill Her Up.
Any cavities in your teeth that are left untreated will lead to further tooth decay which will be painful and expensive. A tooth with untreated tooth decay may eventually develop a large infection and need root canal treatment or extraction. Fillings are a simple solution for cavities and can provide the following benefits:
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Restores the tooth back to normal form
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Can be very aesthetic if a white filling is chosen
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Protects the nerve of the tooth
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Projectors in each rooRemoves sensitivity and painm playing your favourite DVD
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Removes discolouration due to the decay and staining
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Can help repair damaged tooth structure
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Extends the life of your tooth
Frequently asked questions
There is no definite time frame that fillings may last but on average, they are replaced approximately every five years. This does not mean they should be replaced every five years. Usually fillings are left in the tooth unless they need to be replaced. As long as you practice good dental hygiene and look after your mouth, a dental filling can last you decades and may never need to be replaced.
Dental fillings are used to treat cavities in the teeth. When a dentist gives you a filling, this process itself is generally painless. Small fillings can be done without you feeling a thing and without the need for local anaesthetic. For large fillings, local anaesthetic will numb the tooth so you won’t feel the tooth being prepared. Some patients experience discomfort or tooth sensitivity initially after a filling is completed when the anaesthetic has worn off because it is very large and close to the nerve of a tooth, but this settles quickly and can be managed with pain medication.
There are different statistics to consider for the answer to this question. The average person may have around three or four dental fillings. However roughly 25% of people have 11 or more fillings. Regular dental checkups and the practice of good dental hygiene are the best measures a person can take to prevent needing fillings. Fillings are also an early treatment method and can prevent much more significant oral health issues that arise from tooth decay and gum disease.
The cost of a dental filling depends on its size and complexity. Small fillings covering a small section of one surface of the tooth may cost $90, while a very large filling covering all surfaces of the tooth may cost $300. Most medium size fillings cost between $160 to $220.
A filling replaces tooth structure that has been lost and thus restores the integrity of a tooth that has a cavity. However, a filling is not the same as tooth structure and is weaker than tooth enamel. It is more accurate to say that the reason for the filling (tooth decay in many cases) has weakened the tooth rather than the filling itself has weakened the tooth.
There used to be a choice between getting an amalgam filling or a white filling. However, amalgam fillings are more or less obsolete these days and modern fillings are all white in colour. White fillings are preferred by most patients as the material can better match the colour of your natural teeth. There are now different types of white filling materials. Composite resin materials look very much like tooth structure. GIC materials based on calcium and fluoride behave like real tooth structure.
It's a Filling Not a Patch Up Job!
If you do need a dental filling, it needs to be taken care of professionally and you want to make sure it’s a high quality job. Fillings shouldn’t be falling out all the time or have gaps. The very point of having a filling is to correct damage and prevent further tooth decay. If fillings feel loose, have gaps, or keep falling out, then the risk of further tooth decay is significant. When you come to Central Brisbane Dental no matter what filling you choose our dentists will ensure the filling is set firmly and helps prevent tooth decay.
Ultimately, we do not want you to have to come in and receive a crown. As dentists we want to help you keep the majority of your tooth structure for as long as possible. Forever is the aim. If you’ve had a filling done somewhere else and you’ve got concerns, come in for a checkup and we’ll determine if there are any risks. After you have a filling with us, we’ll keep an eye on it when you have your regular checkups. A filling doesn’t need to fall out before it needs a replacement. As soon as the filling is compromised, your teeth are compromised so pay attention to it and seek advice if you have concerns.
How Much Does A Checkup And Clean Cost ?
One of the many reasons that stop patients seeing the dentist for a dental checkup and clean is the cost. Many patients are worried about the dental checkup cost, dental checkup and teeth cleaning cost, or the cost of other dental treatment that they may need. In reality, when you come and see us, the dental checkup price and the checkup and cleaning price does not have to be high. We offer new patients a dental checkup, 2 digital x-rays to check in between their back teeth, ultrasonic teeth cleaning, polishing and preventive fluoride treatment for only $190 (normally $332), or health fund rebate only (no out-of-pocket gap payment) if you have health insurance with dental cover. View Terms and Conditions. Eligible children can receive a free dental checkup and clean covered by Medicare under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). For regular patients, the dental checkup and cleaning frequency should be every 6 months for optimum dental health. We are preferred providers for many health funds, including CBHS, HCF, nib, Australian Unity, AIA Health Insurance, Peoplecare, health.com.au, Frank, GMHBA, My Own Health Insurance and Healthcare Insurance, so you can receive a dental checkup and clean every 6 months for no gap payment or a small gap payment. View Terms and Conditions. We provide verbal and written dental treatment quotes with item numbers for you to check what your health insurance will cover towards your treatment. In many cases our HICAPS machine can do an on-the-spot quote for you if you provide us with your health fund card. Many patients look for a dentist “near me” when searching for a dental clinic. We are conveniently located in the Brisbane CBD on Queen St for those who work or live in the Brisbane city and can accommodate you before, during or after work.
