Dental Fillings in Wodonga: Types, What to Expect and Aftercare

A dental filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay, a chip, a crack or wear. If you have been told you need one, you may be wondering which material suits you, whether it will hurt and how to look after the tooth afterwards.

This guide covers what fillings are for, the main types of filling material, how your dentist chooses between them, what happens during treatment, temporary fillings, aftercare, and the risks and limitations. It ends with questions to bring to your appointment.

This article is general information only. Which filling suits you depends on an examination of your tooth.

What is a Dental Filling?

A filling replaces the part of a tooth that has been removed because of decay or damage. The dentist cleans out the affected area, then fills it with a material that restores the tooth's shape and function.

Fillings are commonly used for:

• Cavities caused by tooth decay.
• Chipped or cracked teeth.
• Teeth worn down by grinding or acid.
• Replacing an old filling that has worn, cracked or broken.

Some cavities cause no symptoms at all. Sensitivity to sweet foods or pressure is a common sign, but decay can go unnoticed until a check-up and X-rays find it.

Our dental fillings page gives an overview of fillings at Prime Care Dental Wodonga. Our restorative dentistry page covers other ways to rebuild damaged teeth.

Types of Dental Fillings

Several materials are used for fillings. Each has its own benefits and limitations, and the right choice depends on the tooth. Not every practice offers every type, so your dentist will explain what is available and what suits you.

Composite resin. This is a tooth-coloured material that is shaped on the tooth and set with a curing light. It bonds to the tooth, so less tooth surface may need to be removed. It can be matched to the shade of the surrounding tooth. It can wear or stain over time, and large fillings in heavy-biting areas may call for another option.

Amalgam. This is a silver-coloured mixture of metals, including mercury, that is packed into the prepared tooth. It has been used in dentistry for a long time. Some people prefer to avoid metal fillings for personal, cosmetic or health reasons. If you have any concerns about a material, raise them with your dentist.

Ceramic (porcelain). Ceramic fillings are made in a dental laboratory and bonded to the tooth, usually as an inlay or onlay. They can be matched to tooth colour and made to a precise shape. They generally need more than one appointment.

Gold. Gold alloy restorations are also made in a laboratory and cemented into place. They are gold in colour and generally need more than one appointment.

Glass ionomer. This is a tooth-coloured material that releases fluoride. It is sometimes used in baby teeth or near the gumline. It is generally not as strong as some other materials, so it does not suit every tooth.

How Your Dentist Chooses a Filling

There is no single material that suits every tooth. Your dentist will usually consider:

• Where the tooth is and how much biting force it takes.
• The size and depth of the cavity.
• The amount and strength of tooth that remains.
• Whether you grind or clench your teeth.
• How visible the filling will be.
• Any allergies or sensitivities to materials.
• Your preferences and budget.

If a tooth is badly broken, your dentist may discuss a crown rather than a filling.

These same factors affect how long a filling lasts, along with your oral hygiene, your diet and how often you have check-ups.

What to Expect During a Filling

Every case is different, but treatment generally follows these stages.

• Examination and X-rays. Your dentist checks the tooth and confirms the extent of the problem.
• Discussing options. You talk through the materials, aftercare and costs before treatment begins.
• Managing discomfort. Local anaesthetic may be offered to numb the tooth and the area around it.
• Removing decay or damage. The affected part of the tooth is cleaned out.
• Placing the filling. Composite is placed and set with a curing light. Amalgam is packed into the tooth. Laboratory-made restorations are fitted at a later visit.
• Shaping and checking. The filling is shaped, polished and checked against your bite.

How long this takes depends on the tooth and the material.

Does a Filling Hurt?

Local anaesthetic is used to manage discomfort during treatment. Individual experiences vary. You may still feel pressure or vibration, and you can tell your dentist if you feel uncomfortable at any point.

The numbness wears off after a few hours. Some tenderness or sensitivity afterwards is common. Tell your dentist if you are anxious about treatment, as there are ways they can help.

Temporary Fillings

A temporary filling is a short-term material placed when a tooth needs further treatment, such as a crown or root canal treatment. It may also be used when treatment is done in stages.

Temporary fillings are not designed to last. They can wear down, crack or come out, and they may not seal the tooth as well as the final restoration. You will need to return to have a permanent filling or other restoration placed.

If a temporary or old filling comes out, contact the practice. Our page on lost and damaged dental restorations explains what to do in the meantime.

Aftercare

Your dentist will give you advice for your case. In general:

• Wait for the numbness to wear off before eating or drinking hot drinks. This helps you avoid biting your cheek, lip or tongue.
• Expect some sensitivity. The tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold or biting for a time. It should settle, and you should tell your dentist if it does not.
• Follow your dentist's advice on eating. Some materials set immediately and others need care at first.
• Keep brushing and cleaning between your teeth, including around the filling.
• Avoid chewing hard objects such as ice or pen lids on the filled tooth.
• Keep up your check-ups, so your dentist can monitor the filling.

Contact the practice if your bite feels uneven, the tooth feels rough, you have sensitivity that is not settling, or you have ongoing discomfort. Our article on causes of toothache and how to treat it explains other reasons a tooth may hurt.

Risks and Limitations

A filling is a dental procedure, and all dental procedures carry risks. They include:

• Sensitivity to hot, cold or biting after treatment.
• Wear, chipping or cracking of the filling or the tooth around it.
• Coming loose or leaking at the edges, which can let decay develop beneath it.
• Irritation of the nerve. If decay is deep, the tooth may later need root canal treatment.
• Reactions to materials. Some people have sensitivities or allergies to certain materials.
• Colour changes. Tooth-coloured fillings can stain or change shade over time.
• Replacement. Fillings do not last forever and may need replacing.

Established cavities do not heal on their own. Decay can spread deeper into the tooth, and treating it earlier generally means a smaller repair. Results vary between patients.

Questions to Ask at Your Appointment

• What do my X-rays show, and what is the extent of the problem?
• Which filling materials are available, and which do you suggest for this tooth?
• What are the benefits and limitations of each option?
• Is a filling enough, or might I need a crown?
• What should I expect afterwards?
• What are the total costs and what do they include?

Dental Fillings FAQs

Do I need a filling if my tooth doesn't hurt?

Possibly. Decay can develop without symptoms, which is why check-ups and X-rays matter. Your dentist can tell you whether a tooth needs treatment or monitoring.

Can an old filling be replaced?

Yes. Fillings can wear, crack or leak at the edges over time. Your dentist can check them at your regular visits and explain whether any need replacing.

What are amalgam fillings made of?

Amalgam is a mixture of metals, including mercury, combined with silver, tin and copper. If you have questions about it, ask your dentist.

How do I know if I need a filling or a crown?

It depends on how much healthy tooth remains. Small to moderate cavities are often filled, while teeth with large breaks may need more support. Your dentist will assess this at the examination.

Book a Dental Check-up in Wodonga

Think you may have a cavity, or have an old filling you are unsure about? The next step is an examination.

At Prime Care Dental Wodonga, your dentist can check your teeth, review your X-rays, talk through your options and explain the risks and limitations before you decide on anything.

Call us on (02) 6024 1516 or request an appointment online to arrange a dental check-up. You can also read about dental fillings in Wodonga.

We are at 340 Beechworth Road, Wodonga VIC 3690, and we see patients from Wodonga, Albury, Baranduda, Leneva, Bandiana, and the surrounding suburbs.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a registered dental practitioner. All dental procedures carry risks. Results vary between patients. Ask your dentist whether the treatment is appropriate for you.