Repairing Teeth Early
A filling restores a tooth that has been affected by decay, wear or a small fracture. Treating a tooth early, while the damage is limited, usually means a simpler procedure and a better long-term outcome for the tooth.
At New'Gen Dental Surgery we treat the cause as well as the damage. If decay is recurring, we will talk with you about why, so the same problem is less likely to return.
Send an enquiryWhen a Filling Is Needed
Decay is often found at a routine examination before you notice anything. You may also need a filling if you have:
- Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
- A rough edge or a visible hole in a tooth
- Food consistently catching between two teeth
- A chipped or worn tooth
- An old filling that has broken down or is leaking
Not every mark on a tooth needs treating. Early changes can sometimes be monitored, and we will say so when that is the sensible approach.
What the Appointment Involves
We numb the area, remove the decayed or damaged tooth structure, then clean and prepare the tooth. The filling material is placed, shaped and set, and we check your bite so the tooth feels comfortable when you close.
Most fillings are completed in a single appointment. Larger restorations may take longer, and we will let you know beforehand.
Choosing a Material
The material we recommend depends on the position of the tooth, how much structure remains, the load it carries and appearance. Tooth-coloured materials are used routinely and blend with the surrounding tooth.
Where a tooth has lost a significant amount of structure, a filling may not be the best long- term answer. A crown may protect the tooth more reliably, and we will explain the difference so you can weigh up the options.
Comfort During Treatment
We take a calm and unhurried approach, explain each step and check in with you throughout. If you find dental treatment difficult, tell us — patient-controlled pain relief by inhalation is available where it is appropriate for you.
Book Your Appointment
To have a tooth checked, call 03 5792 2055 or send us an enquiry.
- Phone
- 03 5792 2055
- Address
- 72 Anzac Avenue, Seymour VIC 3660
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the practice. HICAPS is available for on-the-spot health fund claiming, so please bring your health fund card. We are a preferred provider for Medibank and Bupa, and we participate in Smile.com.au. Payment plans are available through DentiCare and Pretty Penny Finance.
Health funds
Frequently Asked Questions
That varies with the size of the filling, where it is in the mouth, your bite and your oral hygiene. Fillings do not last forever and are checked at your routine visits.
The area is numbed before treatment, so the procedure itself is generally comfortable. Some sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal and usually settles.
Wait until the numbness has fully worn off to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Your dentist will let you know if any other restrictions apply.
Occasionally the bite needs a small adjustment once the numbness wears off. Call us and we will book a short appointment to correct it.
Yes. Decay can develop at the margin of an existing filling, which is one reason regular check-ups and X-rays matter.
Yes. Tooth-coloured materials are used routinely. We select the material based on the position of the tooth, the load it carries and how much structure remains.