Routine
Tooth-coloured fillings, fitted in a single visit.
Composite resin fillings that match the colour of your tooth, bonded directly to the prepared cavity. Most cases finish in 30–60 minutes per tooth.
What a filling does
When decay (a cavity) develops in a tooth, the affected tooth structure needs to be removed and replaced — otherwise the decay spreads, the cavity deepens, and eventually it reaches the nerve. A filling is the restoration that goes back into the prepared cavity.
We use tooth-coloured composite resin as our default material. The composite is matched to your tooth's shade, placed in layers, and cured with a special light. The result is bonded directly to the remaining tooth structure — so it's strong, looks natural, and doesn't require the wider mechanical undercutting that traditional metal fillings needed.
When a filling isn't enough
A filling works well for small-to-medium cavities. If the cavity is very large — covering most of the chewing surface, or wrapping around multiple sides of the tooth — a filling may not have enough remaining tooth structure to bond to reliably. In those cases we usually recommend:
- A crown — a custom cap fitted over the whole tooth for protection
- An inlay or onlay — a lab-made partial restoration that bonds in, somewhere between a filling and a crown
If the cavity has reached the nerve, the tooth needs root canal therapy first, then a filling or crown on top. We'll explain which option fits your case at consultation — and we won't recommend a crown when a filling would do the job.
What to expect
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Step 1
Numb the area. A small amount of topical anaesthetic on the gum first, then local anaesthetic to fully numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. Within a few minutes you'll feel pressure but no pain.
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Step 2
Remove the decay. We carefully remove all the decayed tooth structure, leaving healthy tooth behind. The cavity is cleaned, then prepared for bonding.
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Step 3
Place the filling. Composite is applied in layers — each layer cured with a blue light before the next goes in. We shape it to match the natural anatomy of your tooth, then polish for a smooth, natural finish.
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Step 4
Check the bite. Before you leave, we check how the new filling sits against your other teeth and adjust if needed. Mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days is normal as the tooth settles.
The whole visit usually takes 30–60 minutes per tooth. Where clinically appropriate and time allows, multiple small fillings can be done in one visit — we'll confirm the plan with you before we start.
Common questions
Will it hurt?
Most patients describe the experience as pressure and vibration rather than pain. We use topical anaesthetic before the injection, and the area stays fully numb throughout the procedure. After the anaesthetic wears off (1–3 hours), the tooth may feel slightly tender or sensitive to temperature for a few days — over-the-counter pain relief is rarely needed.
How long do fillings last?
With proper care, tooth-coloured composite fillings typically last 5–10 years, sometimes longer. The lifespan depends on the size of the filling (larger fillings put more stress on the bond), where it is in your mouth (back teeth bear more force), your bite, and how well you maintain your home care. We check existing fillings at every check-up — when one starts to show wear or marginal breakdown, we replace it before it fails.
Do you do white fillings or silver fillings?
Tooth-coloured composite is our default — for both aesthetic reasons (more natural-looking) and conservation reasons (composite bonds to the tooth, so we don't need to remove as much healthy structure). We don't routinely place new amalgam (silver) fillings. If you have existing amalgam fillings that are intact and not causing problems, we generally leave them alone — they don't need to be replaced just because they're amalgam.
Why is my old filling failing?
Fillings don't last forever. Over years of chewing, the bond between the filling and the tooth can break down at the edges, allowing bacteria to get underneath — that's where new decay often starts. Larger fillings may also crack or chip. We watch existing fillings at every check-up and recommend replacement when we see early signs of failure, before the underlying tooth is compromised.
My tooth is sensitive after a filling — is that normal?
Mild sensitivity to cold, heat or pressure for a few days after a filling is normal — the tooth has been worked on, and the nerve takes a little time to settle. If sensitivity is severe, lasts more than 2–3 weeks, or develops weeks later, call us. Occasionally a deep filling can leave the nerve irritated, and a small bite adjustment or further investigation may be needed.
Can I eat straight after?
The composite is fully cured by the time you leave, so technically yes. Practically — wait until the anaesthetic wears off before eating, so you don't accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. After that, you can eat normally; the filling doesn't need any settling time.
Will my health fund cover it?
Most extras policies rebate part of basic restorative work like fillings. The portion covered depends on your fund, level of cover, and how many surfaces the filling covers (a single-surface filling is usually rebated more fully than a multi-surface one). We claim through HICAPS at the chair so you only pay the gap. See Payment options.
Cost & funding
HICAPS on the spot. Most extras policies rebate part of fillings under basic dental cover. We claim at the chair so you only pay the gap. Full detail on Payment options.
Related services
Need a filling?
Most fillings take 30–60 minutes per tooth. Book online or call to chat first — whether it's a planned visit from a recent check-up or you've felt a new cavity yourself.