Tooth-coloured composite.
What we use for fillings. It bonds to the tooth and is matched to its shade, so it’s hard to spot.
Tooth fillingsin Croydon.
Repairing a tooth after decay or a small break, in a colour matched to your own teeth.
Open Monday to Saturday
The short answer.
- How long
- 20 to 60 minutes, usually in one appointment.
- What we use
- Tooth-coloured composite, matched to the shade of your teeth. It contains no mercury.
- Numbing
- A local anaesthetic numbs the tooth before we start.
- Cost
- Fees depend on the treatment you need, so we give you an accurate quote at your consultation, before anything starts.
A filling seals
what decay opens.
Decay eats through the hard outer layer of a tooth. Left alone it reaches the nerve, and the fix gets bigger: a root canal, a crown, or losing the tooth.
A filling removes the decay and rebuilds the tooth. We use tooth-coloured composite, matched to the shade of your teeth. It contains no mercury.
Before and after.
Before and after treatment at Dental Spot.
Individual results vary. Your dentist can discuss what’s appropriate for you.
View the gallerySigns you might
need a filling.
Small decay often has no symptoms at all, which is why check-ups find it early.
A tooth is sensitive to sweet, hot or cold.
You can feel a hole or rough edge.
Your tongue usually finds it first.
Food catches in the same spot.
A gap between teeth can hide decay.
A filling has cracked, chipped or fallen out.
Your dentist saw early decay on an X-ray.
How a filling is done.
Most fillings take one appointment. We explain each step first, and you can ask us to pause.
We check and explain.
A look at the tooth, an X-ray if needed, and what the filling involves and costs.We numb the tooth.
A local anaesthetic numbs the area. Tell us if you feel anything and we’ll stop.We remove the decay.
The soft, decayed part is cleaned away and the tooth is shaped to hold the filling.We fill and shape.
Composite goes in layers, each set hard with a blue light, then shaped to your bite.We check your bite.
Then a polish, so the tooth feels smooth and your teeth meet the way they did.
The numbness usually wears off within a few hours. Take care not to bite your lip or cheek until it does. Nervous about the needle? Sedation options
Good to know.
When a filling isn’t enough.
If a large part of the tooth is gone, a big filling can be weak and may crack. Your dentist may suggest a crown instead.
Old silver fillings.
A sound silver (amalgam) filling can stay. Your dentist will tell you if one is cracked, leaking, or has decay under it.
What it costs.
Each filling is priced for the tooth it repairs, once your dentist has checked it.
Fees depend on the treatment you need, so we give you an accurate quote at your consultation, before anything starts.
What changes the price.
- How many surfaces of the tooth the filling covers.
- Which tooth it is. Back teeth take more work.
- Whether you need an X-ray first.
- Whether the decay is close to the nerve, which can mean more treatment.
Health funds and claiming.
If your extras cover includes general dental, you can claim on the spot through HICAPS. Your rebate depends on your cover.
Costs and health fundsRisks and recovery.
Like any dental treatment, this carries risks, and results vary from person to person. Read the risks below and ask us about your situation before you decide.
What can go wrong.
Sensitivity afterwards.
To hot, cold or biting, for a few days to a few weeks. Tell us if it gets worse instead of better.
A high spot.
If your bite feels uneven once the numbness wears off, come back and we’ll adjust it.
The nerve may already be affected.
Deep decay can leave a tooth that needs root canal treatment later, even after a filling. Root canal treatment
Fillings wear and can break.
They don’t last forever, and new decay can start at their edges.
Recovery.
Eat once you can feel your mouth.
Composite is set hard before you leave, so there’s no wait for the filling itself.
Back to your day.
Most people go back to work or school straight after.
Keep it clean.
Brushing, cleaning between teeth and check-ups help a filling last.
Who you’ll see.
Any of our dentists can do your filling. If you’d like Dr Amanda Zhong or Dr Jose Shina, who both enjoy fillings, ask for them when you call.
Questions we’re
often asked.
Something else on your mind? Ask us on the phone, or leave your number and we’ll call.
Request a callbackDoes a filling hurt?
We numb the tooth first, so most people feel pressure and vibration while we work. If you feel anything sharp, tell us and we’ll stop. The tooth can be tender for a few days afterwards.
How long does a filling take?
Most fillings take 20 to 60 minutes in one appointment. A small filling on a front tooth is at the quick end; a large one on a back tooth takes longer.
How long do fillings last?
Many last for years. It depends on the size of the filling, where it is, how hard you bite or grind, and how well you look after your teeth.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Some sensitivity for a few days is common, especially after a deep filling. Sharp pain when you bite often means the filling is a little high and needs adjusting. If the pain gets worse or throbs, call us.
Can I eat after a filling?
Yes, once the numbness wears off. Composite is set hard before you leave. Until then, avoid hot drinks and chewing so you don’t burn or bite yourself.
Do you use silver fillings?
We use tooth-coloured composite, which contains no mercury. A sound silver filling you already have can usually stay.
Can I claim a filling on my health fund?
If your extras cover includes general dental, yes. Claim on the spot through HICAPS. What you get back depends on your fund and your level of cover.
Does Medicare cover fillings?
Not for most adults. Eligible children can use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which covers fillings, and adults with a concession card can use NSW public dental services. With extras cover, claim on the spot through HICAPS.
Is it cheaper to take a tooth out than fill it?
On the day, often yes. But the gap can let the teeth beside it drift, and replacing the tooth later with a bridge, an implant or a denture usually costs more than the filling would have. We’ll tell you whether the tooth can be saved and what each option costs before you decide.
Can a tooth decay under a filling?
Yes. Decay can start again at the edge of a filling, which is why check-ups look at old fillings too. Brushing, cleaning between your teeth and keeping sugar to mealtimes help a filling last.
Read more in our patient guides.
General dentistryDental Fillings: How Long They Last
Composite fillings last about 5 to 10 years, amalgam 10 to 15 and ceramic 15 or more.
Updated
General dentistryHow Long Does a Filling Take?
A filling usually takes 20 to 60 minutes in a single appointment.
Updated
General dentistryTooth Sensitivity After a Filling: Causes and Relief
Sensitivity after a filling is common and usually short-lived.
Updated