Dental Fillings Loganholme

Cavities are small areas of the tooth that turn into tiny holes due to a build-up of decay and bacteria from poor oral hygiene. During a filling, your dentist will fill these small openings with either amalgam or composite materials via a straightforward procedure that will provide you with form, function and integrity of missing tooth structure.

How do you know if you need a dental filling?

A dental filling is required when a cavity develops in a tooth. Cavities can form at any stage and if left untreated they can trigger a series of other severe oral health issues in the future. By visiting Blue Star Dental for regular check-ups on a 6-monthly basis our knowledgeable dentists’ can detect a cavity in its early stage.

Common symptoms of a cavity include: 

• Tooth sensitivity to sugary foods and drinks
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
• Persistent toothache
• Tooth discolouration
• A hole or pit in a tooth

What to expect during treatment?

Dental fillings are usually a simple procedure from start to finish. Firstly, your dentist will conduct a thorough oral health check of your mouth and teeth by using dental tools and X-ray to examine the cavity. Once the dentist is satisfied with the treatment area, you’ll have a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth – this will alleviate any pain or discomfort experienced throughout the procedure. In some cases, local anaesthetic isn’t necessary if the filling is just on the tooth surface. Once the tooth is numb, the dentist will use a dental drill to drill into the tooth enamel to remove the decay. Afterwards, the dentist will sanitise and prepare the area for the filling by filling the opening. Lastly, the dentist will clean and polish the tooth and assess the jaw and bite alignment. The vast majority of dental fillings heal very quickly with no lasting side effects. As the anaesthetic wears off, you may experience mild tooth sensitivity however this subsides after a few hours.