Dental fillings

Dental fillings are used to repair worn, decayed or damaged teeth. They are made from materials that 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 job.

Getting a dental filling

If the filling is to repair damage caused by tooth decay, your dental practitioner will use a drill and other tools to remove the decay. If needed, they will numb the tooth first with local anaesthetic to make sure you are comfortable throughout the process.

Once all 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 have concerns about dental amalgam fillings because they contain mercury.

High amounts of mercury are harmful to human health, but the amount of ‘free’ mercury (mercury that could get into the body) in set amalgam fillings is so low that it has no effect on health.

How to avoid dental fillings

An intact tooth is stronger than a filled one, so it’s important to try and avoid fillings due to tooth decay.

The following can all help to prevent tooth decay and the need for fillings:

• brushing your teeth twice a day
• using fluoride toothpaste
• enjoying a wide variety of nutritious foods
• choosing tap water over sugary drinks.

Regular dental check-ups can help to make sure any problems are found and treated early. Finding decay in the early stages means less of your tooth needs to be repaired in the process of getting a filling.

Regular dental check-ups are important throughout life. Children should have their first dental check-up by 1 year of age. Ask your dental practitioner how often you should have a dental check-up.

Replacing dental fillings

All fillings need to be replaced eventually. Regular dental check-ups can help ensure fillings that are worn out due to chewing are found and fixed.

Fillings also sometimes fall out. If part of your filling breaks off or if your whole filling falls out, see your oral health professional as soon as possible.

Where to get help

• Your dentist or other dental practitioner
• Maternal and child health nurse
• Oral Health Victoria provide public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and community dental clinics for eligible people. For more information about public dental services call (03) 9341 1000, or 1800 833 039 outside Melbourne metro.
• Australian Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’or call (03) 8825 4600