Tooth-coloured fillings in Melbourne 

Modern dentistry uses innovative new materials for fillings; the use of silver amalgam fillings is rapidly declining. Our Melbourne dental clinic uses new materials such as composites and porcelain, which offer a much more aesthetically pleasing result. These materials can provide the same strength and durability as traditional silver amalgam fillings.

Your choices for fillings 

Your FirstBite dentist will give you advice and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each filling compound. When you have this information, you can make an informed decision. The best filling material for you will depend on:

  • the size of the restoration
  • whether the filling is in a visible part of the mouth
  • the potential cost.

Tooth-Coloured Resin Composite Fillings

The following list details key features of tooth-coloured resin composite fillings at our Essendon dental clinic:

  • average longevity = 7-10 years
  • tooth-coloured
  • performed on the same day
  • moderate cost
  • best-suited to small-to-medium dental restorations.

Tooth-Coloured Ceramic Indirect Fillings

The following list details key features of tooth-coloured ceramic indirect fillings at our Essendon dental practice:

  • average longevity = 10-15 years
  • tooth-coloured
  • best used in moderate to large-sized teeth restorations
  • digitally made on-site in our Essendon dental clinic using CEREC CAD-CAM technology
  • prepared, made, milled on-site and affixed in one visit.

Tooth-coloured ceramic indirect fillings do cost a little more than standard fillings. The benefit is that these fillings are more durable and last longer.

Gold Inlays And Onlays

The following list details key features of gold inlays and onlays at our Essendon dental practice:

  • average longevity = 10-15 years to life
  • gold-coloured
  • moderate-to-high initial cost.

Dental restorations of any size can use gold inlays and onlays, in any location where metal won’t be displayed.

Silver Amalgam Fillings

Modern dentistry practice rarely sees the need for silver amalgam fillings now that there are many other alternatives available. Silver amalgam (an alloy that contains silver, tin, copper, zinc and about 50% mercury) has been used for approximately 160 years for the restoration of teeth.

Glass Ionomer

The following list details the key features of glass ionomer fillings at our Essendon dental surgery:

  • average longevity = 3-5 years
  • tooth-coloured
  • fluoride-containing plastic-type filling
  • not very strong, so it wears down quickly.

Glass ionomer fillings are suitable:

  • for fillings in kids’ teeth
  • as a temporary filling
  • for patients with a lot of decay.

Restoration using a crown

Some patients have teeth that are prone to fracture and future tooth loss. Not only are these situations painful, but tooth structure and function can be significantly reduced, especially:

  • if a cavity is significant in size
  • there are visible cracks in the tooth.

If patients come to our Essendon dental surgery with these situations, our experienced dentists may cap these teeth with a crown to restore form and function. Visit our Dental Crowns page for more information.