Dental Fillings
Fillings – Repairing tooth damage and restoring your smile
Know how
About Dental Fillings
Dental fillings help to restore the function and integrity of your teeth when the structure has been damaged as a result of trauma or decay. There are multiple options available for fillings, and our team will work with you to recommend and provide the best solution for the health and appearance of your teeth.
Treatment Benefits
Benefits Of Fillings
When we think about a filling, most of us think about the aesthetic benefits of repairing a cavity in the tooth, which is an important part of the process. However, there are also many health benefits to repairing a tooth with a filling before further damage can occur.
Benefits include:
Halts progression of tooth decay
One of the main benefits of a filling is that it closes the cavity space in a damaged tooth, which can help prevent bacteria from entering and prevent further decay to an existing tooth. This also helps to protect overall oral health.
Restores the function and appearance of your teeth
When you have a cavity in your tooth it can be painful and also make it difficult to eat and drink as usual. This can impact your wider health and wellbeing from your nutritional intake to your mental wellbeing. Repairing the tooth helps to return your teeth to their regular function, allowing you to eat and drink as usual.
Strengthens fractured teeth and improves tooth structure
If you have a cavity or crack in your tooth then it is weakened and is vulnerable to further damage or tooth loss. By filling the tooth, it helps to restore the strength and structural integrity of the tooth for long-term oral health.
Why Choose Us
All-round care with real-world solutions
We understand that needing a fillings is often an unexpected (and unwelcome) cost.
At Bethcar, we offer payment solutions including our membership plans that allow you to spread the cost of regular treatments and allow for discounted prices on items such as dental fillings.
We also offer finance so that you can spread the cost of treatment and pay in smaller increments.
A few things you may like to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a filling?
The majority of the fillings that we do are white composite fillings, which are made of a tooth-coloured resin, and they are preferred for their aesthetic appeal. They bond with the tooth’s surface and create a natural appearance. However, in some cases, where white composite fillings are not appropriate, we also offer dental amalgam, also referred to as a ‘silver-filling’.
What is a filling for?
Fillings are used to restore and repair a cavity in your tooth, improving its structural integrity as well as its appearance and function after damage caused by decay. This also helps to prevent the tooth from further damage.
What is involved in getting a filling?
When you come to us for a filling, we will start by assessing your teeth to see what is required and we will discuss the options with you.
When we place the filling, we begin by administering a local anaesthetic to numb the area, and we remove the damaged tooth material. We then make sure the area is thoroughly cleaned before applying the chosen filling material. Typically, the process takes around an hour for a single filling. It may remain a little sensitive for a few days afterwards, but should not interfere with your regular routine.
Suitable for adults and children
The comfortable and minimally invasive nature of Airflow tooth polishing makes it suitable for children as well as adults.
Anyone concerned about stained teeth
We all get staining on our teeth over the course of the year, whether it’s in the hard to reach places behind our teeth or as a result of daily food and drink intake. This treatment is recommended for everyone, especially those predisposed to staining.
Anyone looking to maintain optimum oral health
Tooth polishing is recommended at least once a year as part of a healthy oral hygiene programme, helping to minimise the buildup of plaque and help prevent gum disease.
Nervous dental patients
A gentler approach to stain removal than traditional scale and polish treatments, Airflow tooth polishing is ideal for anyone who is anxious about visiting the dentist. It provides a positive experience and a high standard of preventative dental healthcare to minimise the likelihood of other dental interventions down the line.
Patients with sensitive teeth
Airflow is recommended by our dentists because it’s a gentle approach to polishing teeth. However, as pressure can also be adjusted and no instruments come into direct contact with the teeth, it’s also highly suitable for clients with sensitive teeth, minimising the chances of any discomfort.
Suitable for crowns, veneers, bridges or implants
As with sensitive teeth, Airflow tooth polishing is also suitable for anyone with crowns, veneers, bridges or implants due to the minimally invasive approach and adaptable pressure.
Is a dental filling right for me?
Determining whether a dental filling is right for you depends on the type and extent of the damage that’s been caused to the tooth as well as your overall health and wellbeing. Some things to consider are as follows:
If you have damage caused by a cavity
If you have a cavity in one of your teeth you will usually have an idea that something is wrong because teeth can be extremely sensitive or even painful, or you may be able to see a dark spot on your tooth. To fully be aware however, you will need to visit the dentist for them to examine your teeth. If you have a cavity they will be able to discuss the options with you.
The type of damage
Fillings are only suitable for certain types of damage to the teeth. If damage reaches the ‘pulp’ of the tooth then a filling may no longer suffice and alternative options should be considered.
Can children have fillings?
Fillings can be used with children if they have cavities on either their baby teeth or permanent teeth. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, and we do offer dental care plans for children to help them limit the likelihood of needing fillings at all.