Resin Fillings
Cosmetic, Dental & Hygiene
Improve | Brighten | Maintain | Smile
COSMETIC & GENERAL DENTISTRY | BALWYN NORTH
Resin Fillings
Cosmetic, Dental & Hygiene
Improve | Brighten | Maintain | Smile
BEAUTIFUL DENTAL CARE | BALWYN
Tooth Coloured fillings in Melbourne
Traditional fillings used in years gone by have been dark silver amalgam fillings. But times have changed. At iDental, we have never used amalgam fillings. Tooth coloured composite resin fillings done in our dental studio are strong, long-lasting and undetectable.
What does amalgam removal involve?
Removal of amalgam is a simple process. We will assess your teeth and plan treatment is sections. This means that a few teeth can usually be treated at once.
On the removal appointment, we will remove the amalgam, keeping the high speed suction over the tooth so that it is instantly removed from your mouth as it comes out. This will also whisk away any odour or vapour.
The tooth will then be filled using a layering technique.
Finally the composite is polished to a high lustre.
Can I claim removal of my fillings on health insurance?
Yes. This is routine dentistry. We will provide you with a written quote so that you can check before we begin how much the process will be. We also offer payment plans through a loan platform that makes it easy to stay on top of your dental health.
What is a filling?
The fillings that we use at iDental are made from composite resin materials or porcelain, depending on the problem. The best filling will repair damage and and improve the appearance of both the tooth and your smile.
How long to white fillings last?
Small fillings last the longest as they are protected by the surrounding tooth, and also don't get a lot of wear and tear. This is usually many years. For large fillings, the white filling will slowly wear down over time. Although the composite filling will last many years, it is usually better to use a porcelain bonded filling for these larger and wider fillings.
How much do white composite fillings cost?
The cost of a white tooth coloured filling will vary depending upon the size and how many layers it needs. We are meticulous in the replacement of old fillings and try to restore the appearance of the tooth back to as close as the original unfilled tooth as possible. We will give you a quote before starting. Most fillings are $200+
Should you replace your old fillings?
One - Health of your tooth.
Unlike composite resin fillings which are chemically bonded to your teeth, an amalgam filling is packed into an area of your tooth, much like a filling in a pothole. Over time, these fillings will start to wear away, exposing spaces where bacteria can sneak in and start causing tooth decay. If a filling wears out, allowing for decay to get into your tooth then it is time to replace that filling before bacteria can enter into deeper tooth structures (and cause potentially costly treatment or tooth loss). The life of an amalgam filling is about 10 years.
Two - Metal fillings expand
It should be no surprise that Amalgam fillings are made of metal. Metal is a conductor and reacts differently to temperature compared to tooth structure and also resin fillings. When eating and drinking, our mouth temperature changes from hot to cold quickly, and unfortuntely metal fillings shrink and expand too quickly compared to the rest of the tooth. These on-going expansions and contractions place stress on your tooth with every thermal cycle. Young heathy teeth are resilient and can stretch with the filling. About the mid-thirties, this natural resiliency starts to diminish and stresses that the tooth previously tolerated eventually cause stress cracks and fractures.
Three - Silver stains your tooth
Just like any metal, the metal components in amalgam can corrode or rust. In old amalgam filled teeth, rust leads to the natural tooth structure absorbing small metal particles into the inner porous dentine and the enamel layer causing dark discolouration of the teeth that can often be noticed. Once the structure of the tooth is stained grey, it cannot be removed and will permanently make the tooth appear grey or "dirty". This is not pleasant, and it is better to replace a silver filling before this happens.
Four - Your smile
Amalgam Fillings Are Not Aesthetically Pleasing – When you smile or laugh, amalgam fillings are noticeable. For many people, replacing their amalgam fillings with white, tooth-coloured composite resin fillings instead enables them to regain their self-confidence in their smile. Tooth-coloured fillings are practically invisible, and often even we cannot see them right after we place them. And that is the way we like it. Dentistry should look like it doesn't exist. Your teeth and smile should look bright and white, and completely natural and untouched.
We are amalgam free
It can be a little daunting to learn that you have a tooth that is in need of urgent repair. Rest assured, because at iDental, repairing teeth and restoring your teeth back to a beautiful cosmetic result is what we do best.
Whether your tooth has experienced decay or has been worn down or eroded, we use the the latest modern and safe materials to re-build and re-strengthen your teeth. We are an amalgam-free practice and use newer restorative materials that colour match and blend seamlessly with your existing tooth structure – you wouldn’t even know you had a filling!
Teeth whitening
If you are considering teeth whitening after your dental filling to restore your smile, be sure to speak to one of our cosmetic dentists about your treatment options. We can select the best colour for your fillings to match the brighter and whiter smile that we will create for you.
Our dentists will always encourage you to do any cosmetic work that improves the colour or shade of your teeth, before placing any fillings, so that fillings match your brighter smile. Dentistry lasts a long time when done well, so we want you to enjoy it.
How long does it take to replace my fillings?
At iDental, our cosmetic dentists will first assess your mouth and teeth and determine what fillings (if any) need replacing. The best dental visits are when we plan treatment to get a few teeth done at once. After all, it makes sense that whilst you are numb in an area, we should aim to replace whatever needs replacing in the same visit to avoid having to work on the same area all over again.
For this reason, we will usually replace a quarter of the fillings in one appointment. We have found that our patients love this approach, as they see an instant change in the brightness of their smile after just a visit of two!
Can I eat after a dental filling?
You can eat after a tooth filling after a suitable waiting time has elapsed once local aesthetics has worn off. In most cases, we use a short acting local anaesthetic, so you can return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Composite resin fillings are ready to use immediately as we set them with blue light. It is important to be careful whilst numb to protect your lip and tongue. Sometimes a tooth can be sensitive after it is worked on, but in most cases this is temporary and will resolve by itself in a few days.
Our dentists will help guide you in the best way to care for your teeth after treatment.
How is my treatment planned?
We want you to be involved in the dental process. After looking at all the information we have, we will put together a treatment plan for you. This is a step-by-step plan to get your dental health back to it's best.
We have a wide range of treatments available, so we will work with you to come up with the best solution.
This might be replacing amalgam fillings, whitening or placing crowns on your teeth. Together we will work on the solution to dental health.
We also offer dental payment plans through a plan provider which is interest free.
Frequently asked questions
A tooth filling can cost you between $200 and $300 depending on the size and tooth filling material involved. Other factors include the location of the tooth and the number of tooth surfaces to be filled.
Porcelain materials can cost more, but last much longer.
A dental or tooth filling is a repair process used by a dentist to fix a hole or cavity in the tooth back to health. The tooth needs to be cleaned and the decay and bacteria removed using a dental drill. This is driven by air, so makes a high pitched sound. The dentist will then use a filling to repair and fill in the hole.
The filling protects the tooth from further decay, helps with chewing, and restores your smile and confidence. A tooth filling is also used to restore broken and worn-down teeth, which can occur due to trauma or grinding.
You can eat after a tooth filling after a suitable waiting time has elapsed once local aesthetics has worn off. Composite resin fillings are ready to use immediately as we set them with blue light. It is important to be careful whilst numb to protect your lip and tongue. Sometimes a tooth can be sensitive after it is worked on, but in most cases this is temporary and will resolve by itself in a few days.
Yes we can. Most teeth that are broken can be filled to look and fill like a natural tooth again. Where a tooth is badly broken or decayed, we might ask you to consider a crown. A crown is stronger than a filling and will hold the tooth together better.
In Balwyn Melbourne, iDental also has emergency dental times available for you. We also work with an emergency clinic for after hours serious emergencies so that you are looked after.
A tooth filling takes an hour or less to be completed at iDental Balwyn. Often we try to complete a couple of teeth in once visit so that our treatment is planned to save you time.
Dental fillings usually last many years, but are not permanent. The size of the filling, the shape of the tooth and a few other factors will determine how long a filling will last. If you have had the experience of constant filling breakage, it is time to speak to Dr Giulia at iDental Balwyn, Melbourne. She is honest with your needs and her recommendations.
Dental Treatments
iDental | Balwyn
HOURS | Mon - Thurs 9-6 | Fri 9-1
FIND US | 3 BELMORE RD, BALWYN NORTH VIC 3104