Dental fillings

Dental fillings are used to repair worn, decayed or damaged teeth. They are made from substances which can ‘fill’ in parts of a damaged tooth and then be set hard.

Dental fillings cannot completely repair all damage to teeth but may be necessary to maintain the tooth structure and keep teeth doing their important jobs.

Getting a dental filling

If the filling is to repair damage caused by tooth decay, your oral health professional will first use a drill and other tools to remove any decay. Tooth decay is when the tooth structure has turned soft due to disease. If needed, they will use a local anaesthetic to make sure you are comfortable throughout the process.

Once any decay has been removed, the hole in the tooth is cleaned and dried, and then filled with a filling material.

Types of filling material include:

• composite resin (also known as ‘tooth-coloured’ fillings)
• glass-ionomer cement
• dental amalgam (also known as ‘silver’ fillings, rarely used)
• gold (rarely used due to cost)
• porcelain.

Each different material has benefits and limitations. Some types of material may be better than others in certain situations. Your oral health professional can discuss your options with you.

Amalgam (‘silver’) fillings are safe

Some people are worried about having a filling made of dental amalgam because it contains mercury. High levels of mercury are harmful to human health, but the level of ‘free’ mercury (mercury that could get into the body) in set amalgam fillings is so low that it has no effect on health.

If you are nervous about getting a dental filling, be sure to talk about your concerns with your oral health professional.

How to avoid dental fillings

An intact healthy tooth is stronger than a filled one, so it’s important to try and avoid fillings due to tooth decay. Cleaning your teeth twice a day, enjoying a wide variety of nutritious foods and choosing tap water over sugary drinks can all help to prevent tooth decay and the need for fillings.

Regular dental check-ups can help to make sure any problems are found and treated early. Finding decay in the early stages means less tooth is destroyed in the process of getting a filling. Ask your oral health professional how often you should have a dental check-up.

Where to get help

• Your oral health professional (Dentist)
• Maternal and child health nurse
• Dental Health Services Victoria provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne and community dental clinics, for eligible people. For more information about public dental services Tel. (03) 9341 1000, or 1800 833 039 outside Melbourne metro
• Australian Dental Association provides a list of private dentists. Search ‘Find a Dentist’ or Tel. (03) 8825 4600