Fillings
During your dental checkup your dentist may spot an area of decay or a cavity on one of your teeth and recommend that you get a filling. This area may or may not be causing you pain or sensitivity. A filling is done in an attempt to remove the decay before it reaches the nerve to minimise the chances of needing more extensive treatment. In the past, silver (amalgam) fillings were commonly placed. Nowadays we opt for tooth-coloured composite materials.
What is a Filling?
Fillings can last anywhere from a few years to over twenty years, depending on the materials used, the condition of the mouth and how well they are looked after.
No, you will be numbed and should not feel any pain.
Generally, composite materials are the go-to for fillings. They are white and can be polished to mimic natural teeth.
This depends hugely between cases, but on average every 7-10 years.
There is no limit, but eventually if enough natural tooth structure is lost there may not be enough tooth for a filling to stick to. In this case we may recommend a crown instead, or possibly even extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant.