Fillings are used to restore teeth that have lost part of their structure. This can be caused by either decay or trauma.
Teeth can develop cavities if exposed to excess sugars and acids. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugary substances and produce strong acids as a by-product. These acids attack the tooth enamel, eventually eroding it and causing a cavity. Our dentists check your teeth for any signs of cavities at each regular examination and if necessary, can repair these teeth.
Repairing a tooth with a filling restores strength to the damaged tooth so you can bite and chew normally and further damage is prevented.
The process for a filling starts with numbing of your tooth. Next, decay will be removed and cleaned out, and the cavity will be filled with a suitable filling material which may be a tooth-coloured composite resin or porcelain. Your choice is likely to depend on the location of the tooth and the size of the filling. Composite resin can be good for filling cavities in more visible areas in the front of the mouth. Porcelain is suitable for larger cavities in back teeth. Once the filling material is in place it will be shaped and adjusted so you can bite properly.