Restorative Dentistry and Dental Filings

Restorative dentistry encompasses a large range of services. It is basically defined at that branch of Dentistry that deals with the restoration of diseased, damaged or abnormal teeth back to healthy function and aesthetics. Dental fillings are the most common type of restorative treatment. A filling replaces the part of the tooth that has been lost due to decay or because the tooth may have broken.

You may not know if you need fillings in your teeth. Many small to medium holes in teeth are asymptomatic, giving no pain. In fact, decay can sometimes eat out two-thirds of the tooth from the inside and you would have no idea it is happening. Dental radiographs (X-rays), which are taken on a regular basis as part of your check-up, may show early decay that has not yet given any symptoms.

White fillings, also known as composite fillings, have revolutionized filling technology by providing a treatment option that can be colour-matched to your teeth. This provides a natural looking, more aesthetically pleasing restoration. Another key benefit of white fillings is that they are easy to mould. This allows for an exact fit when used to fill a tooth and gives a natural looking shape when used to build up chipped or broken teeth. White fillings can also be used to change the shape or appearance of teeth or to fill in gaps between the teeth.

We can now easily replace your old silver amalgam fillings with white fillings. The benefits of replacing your existing silver amalgam fillings are that silver amalgam fillings can contract and expand with changes in temperature, causing your teeth to fracture over time. Also, unlike silver amalgam fillings, white fillings contain no mercury.

In some cases, especially large fillings in the back teeth, a composite resin filling may not be strong enough. In this case a porcelain filling or a crown may be more appropriate.

Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, dentists have more ways to create pleasing, natural-looking smiles. Dentists and patients today have several choices when it comes to selecting materials to repair missing, worn, damaged or decayed teeth.

If you would like more information on how white fillings can restore decayed or damaged teeth, please call our practice to organise a consultation or to have your questions answered.