Dental Fillings in Ashburton

Modern fillings

Composite resin has largely replaced amalgam for good reasons: it bonds chemically to the tooth so less healthy structure needs removing, it matches your tooth colour, and there’s no metal to expand and contract with temperature.

If you have older amalgam fillings that are sound, there’s no health reason to replace them. We’ll monitor and replace them only when they fail or the tooth needs attention anyway.

What’s involved

Signs you might need a filling

Early decay often has no symptoms. That’s why we find most cavities at check-ups, on X-rays, before they hurt.

Signs worth booking for: sensitivity to cold or sweet that lingers, a sharp edge your tongue keeps finding, food catching between the same two teeth, a dark spot, or an old filling that has chipped or fallen out.

Small cavities are quick to fix. Left alone, decay spreads towards the nerve, and a simple filling can become a root canal or crown. Regular check-ups catch it early.

What happens at your filling appointment

• Your dentist checks the tooth and takes an X-ray if the decay may be deeper than it looks.
• The tooth is numbed if needed. You can raise a hand at any time to pause.
• Decay and any loose old filling are removed.
• The tooth is cleaned and a bonding layer is applied so the composite can grip.
• Composite is placed in thin layers. Each layer is set hard with a light.
• The filling is shaped, polished and checked against your bite.

A single small filling often takes well under an hour. Larger or deeper fillings take longer.

Filling, inlay or crown?

A filling suits small to medium cavities where plenty of strong tooth is left. If a large old filling has cracked or a cusp has broken off, an inlay or onlay may support the tooth better. If the tooth is badly broken or has had root canal treatment, a crown may be needed. Our restorative dentistry guide compares all the options.

A chipped front tooth with no decay is a slightly different job. Dental bonding uses the same material but is shaped for looks as well as strength.

Helping your filling last

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth every day. New decay often starts at the edge of an old filling.
• Keep sugary drinks and snacks to mealtimes.
• If you grind your teeth, ask about a night splint.
• Keep up regular check-ups and cleans so the edges can be checked.

More questions about dental fillings

Can I have several fillings in one visit?

Often, yes. Teeth on the same side of the mouth can usually be done together with one lot of numbing. If you need fillings on both sides, your dentist may split them over two visits so you can still chew comfortably on one side afterwards.

Do children need fillings in baby teeth?

Sometimes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth, and decay in them can hurt or cause infection. Small cavities may be filled or watched, depending on the tooth. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is accepted for eligible children, with no out-of-pocket cost for eligible children under the CDBS. See our CDBS guide.

I get nervous at the dentist. Can you help?

Yes. Tell us when you book. Your dentist will take time to explain each step, agree on a stop signal and numb the tooth carefully. Sedation is available on request. Read more on our nervous patients page.