Even the most cared-for mouth can develop cavities over time, leading to the need for fillings.
Only a relatively short time ago, the standard filling was made from amalgam, a dark-silver coloured metal. While strong and reliable, amalgam fillings can cause significant aesthetic problems in any smile with the large and unsightly dark spots being easily identifiable when laughing, talking and smiling.
Whether you require a new filling or are looking to replace an existing amalgam filling, The Dentist at Burwood can tailor an individual tooth-coloured (white) filling solution for the cavity using a range of modern dentistry techniques and materials.
Tooth Coloured Filling Solutions
Composite Tooth-Coloured Fillings
Modern dentists almost always recommend a composite tooth coloured filling for cavities where enough remains for the fillings to be anchored and bonded to the tooth has not been damaged or destroyed. Modern composite fillings are extremely durable and are applied to perfectly match the colour of the surrounding teeth, making them virtually invisible to the casual observer.
Composite fillings are a quick and relatively painless solution to most cavities, with the entire procedure taking less than 30 to 60 minutes to complete. The result is almost indistinguishable from your own teeth in both colour and look and feel.
Composite fillings are a semi-permanent solution, with most modern composite fillings lasting around 7-10 years before requiring replacement.
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After
Porcelain Onlays and Inlays
For extensively damaged teeth, it may not be possible to bond a composite filling to the remaining healthy tooth. In many cases, a porcelain inlay or onlay may be a viable solution for many patients.
While generally more expensive than composite fillings, porcelain inlays and onlays are extremely hardwearing and are made to perfectly match the surrounding teeth and are virtually undetectable. With proper care, porcelain inlays and onlays can last a lifetime.
Porcelain onlays and inlays are fitted over the course of two or more visits to our Surgery where the decay is removed and a temporary filling is placed while the porcelain fixture is made in the laboratory. During the second visit, the permanent fixture is bonded to the teeth, leaving you with an incredibly strong and virtually unnoticeable filling.
Porcelain onlays and Inlays can be made in house and are milled from solid ceramic blacks and can be filled in the same visit. Both options provide optimum cosmetic restoration of the tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
In extreme cases of decay or damage, a filling or porcelain veneer may not be a viable option for the patient and the tooth may require root canal therapy to save it and clean out the damage or infection pulp prior to being repaired or restored with a crown. In this case the tooth is first saved with a root canal, then the canal space and pulp chamber are used to build up a solid core anchored to the roots and then a crown can be fitted over this for strength and aesthetics