This clinic
01Point Cook
Address220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone(03) 8338 1515
HoursMon–Sat 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Point Cook · Fillings
Tooth-coloured fillings in Point Cook, done in one visit.
A composite filling repairs a cavity, chip or worn edge using tooth-coloured resin, usually in a single appointment. At Magical Smiles Point Cook we match the shade to your teeth and bond it in place, so the repair blends in and the tooth is protected from further decay. Book online or call (03) 8338 1515.
You'll see what we see, and hear our advice, before any treatment starts.
In simple terms
What is a tooth-coloured filling?
A tooth-coloured filling is made from composite resin and rebuilds a tooth damaged by decay, a chip or wear. We remove the damaged part, add the resin in thin layers, harden each layer with a curing light, then shape and polish it so it feels like part of your tooth.
Composite sticks directly to the tooth, so we usually only need to remove the damaged area and can keep more of the healthy tooth. The colour is matched to the teeth around it, so most people won't notice the filling when you smile.
Fillings are one of the most common dental treatments, and one of the most worthwhile to do early. A small cavity is a quick, simple fix. Left alone, decay keeps moving towards the nerve, and the treatment can become a root canal or a crown.
Fillings are part of our general dentistry care in Point Cook, together with regular cleans (ask whether air polishing suits you) and deep cleaning to help prevent new decay.
Common reasons
How do you know if you need a filling?
Early decay often doesn't hurt, which is why regular check-ups matter. These are some of the usual reasons a tooth needs filling:
1
Decay found at a check-up
Most fillings start this way: a small area of decay spotted during an exam or on an X-ray, well before you'd feel anything. Found early, it's a small repair.
2
Twinges with cold or sweet food
A tooth that suddenly reacts to ice-cold drinks or sugary snacks may have early decay or thinning enamel. It's worth checking before it turns into toothache.
3
A chip or worn-down edge
A small chip on a front tooth, or an edge worn flat over the years, can often be rebuilt with composite in one visit, without needing a crown.
4
An old filling that needs checking
Fillings don't last forever. If an older one is leaking, cracked or stained, we'll assess it and only suggest replacing it when that's the right thing to do.
An examination, sometimes with an X-ray, is the only way to confirm a tooth needs a filling. We'll show you what we find at your check-up.
Your appointment
What happens when you get a filling?
Most composite fillings are finished in a single visit at our Point Cook clinic. Here's what happens, step by step.
1
Numbing
Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and nearby gum so you're comfortable. If injections are the hard part for you, tell us and we'll talk about ways to make numbing more comfortable.
2
Removing the decay
We clean out only the decayed or damaged part of the tooth. Because composite bonds to healthy tooth, the area we prepare can stay small.
3
Building up the filling
We choose a shade to match your teeth, then place the resin in thin layers, setting each one with a blue curing light.
4
Shaping and polishing
The filling is shaped to fit your bite and polished smooth. We'll check your bite with marking paper and adjust until it feels right.
5
Back to your day
Wait until the numbness wears off before eating. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is common and usually settles. If your bite feels high later, a quick adjustment fixes it.
Choosing a material
Should you replace old silver fillings with white ones?
For most everyday repairs we use composite resin because it matches your tooth colour, bonds directly to the tooth and lets us keep more healthy tooth structure. Amalgam (silver) fillings have been used for many years, and if one is intact and the tooth is healthy, there's usually no clinical reason to remove it.
If an older filling is breaking down, or a visible metal filling bothers you, mention it at your check-up. We'll check the tooth underneath, explain the pros and cons, and only recommend replacing it when it's worthwhile.
If a tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold, we'll talk about stronger options such as onlays or crowns. We always explain which option suits your tooth, and why, before you decide.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks; your dentist will confirm what's right for your teeth at your appointment.
Common questions
Fillings in Point Cook: your questions.
Tooth-coloured fillings are made of composite resin, a mix of fine glass particles and resin. It's bonded to the tooth in thin layers and hardened with a curing light, and the shade is matched to your natural teeth so it blends in.
Most fillings are done in one appointment, including numbing, removing the decay, placing the composite and polishing it. We'll tell you how long to allow when you book, and you can eat once the numbness wears off.
It varies with the size and position of the filling, your bite, and habits such as grinding. Good brushing, cleaning between your teeth and regular check-ups help fillings last. We check them at every visit and let you know if one needs attention.
We numb the tooth before we start, so the procedure should be comfortable. You'll feel some pressure and vibration, and mild sensitivity to cold for a few days afterwards is normal. If the injection worries you, tell us and we'll talk about ways to make numbing more comfortable.
Often, yes, when there's a good clinical reason. An intact silver filling on a healthy tooth is usually best left alone. If it's leaking, cracked or bothers you, your dentist will check the tooth and talk through the pros and cons before doing anything.
Fillings are usually covered under general dental extras, although rebates vary by fund and policy. At Magical Smiles Point Cook you can claim on the spot with HICAPS, and we'll give you a written fee estimate before treatment.
Next step
Fix it early, while it's still small.
A check-up shows exactly what's going on, and if you need a filling it's usually a single visit. Book online or call Magical Smiles Point Cook on (03) 8338 1515.