Holes in teeth, also known as cavities are caused by 3 main things.

1. Bacteria which can cause the tooth to rot
2. An old filling which has broken down with age
3. Excessive Brushing and Teeth grinding causing the tooth to fracture on the side

A hole in a tooth left unfilled will get bigger and cost more to fix. The bigger the hole, the more likely you are to need Root Canal Therapy and a crown. If the hole gets too large we may be unable to save the tooth and so the only option will be to extract it.

When you have a very small hole in your tooth, you will have no symptoms. We often find very small holes in X-ray’s and advise you to treat them with regular flossing and toothpaste. If we find these early enough we can prevent the need for a filling. 

A hole left untreated will grow and it can begin to be sensitive to cold foods and sweets. The bigger it is the more uncomfortable it will become, until the tooth eventually rots and breaks apart.

The smaller the hole, the cheaper and faster it is to fix. 

There are 3 types of dental fillings:

1. Glass-Ionomer Fillings – are used as a short term solution for children whose baby teeth will soon fall out. In adults, it is used in cases where patients have decay on almost every tooth. It is a short term temporary solution that can be placed quickly and cheaply. It is designed to be replaced once patients have started a daily brushing, flossing routine and the gums and mouth are in a healthy state. This material lacks strength and breaks down more readily in patients who grind their teeth and have an acidic diet. It is a poor long term filling in adults.

2. Composite Fillings – are a great solution for small holes in your teeth. If you have mid-larger holes that cover more than one surface they are a good mid-term treatment option, it is a moderately stronger material and can be placed immediately in a single visit appointment. With good oral care and regular dental visits, this material can last for many years. You can eat immediately after having the filling placed and the appointment will take between 30minutes and an hour.

3. Inlays/ Onlays – are the best long term solution for mid-larger holes which cover more than one of your tooth’s surfaces. Once the tooth is prepared a digital scan or mould of the tooth is taken. The digital scan is then used to design your filling and it is then made out of a very strong white tooth coloured material to seamlessly match the missing part of your tooth

At Smiles of Ryde Dental Surgery we no longer offer Mercury Amalgam Fillings. The white materials available today are far superior. White fillings allow us to cut much less of your tooth and the technology of today allows us to stick the white filling to your tooth with glue rather than relying on friction with a silver filling.

Amalgam fillings have been known to crack teeth after many years of use and there is also evidence that they can release mercury into the mouths of patients who grind.

White fillings, look and function much better.

At Smiles of Ryde Dental surgery we ensure that the filling experience is as comfortable as possible. This means that you will most likely be numb after the procedure.  We always remind you to be careful as for some people the numbness can last around 3 hours.

Our fillings set immediately so there is no need to wait before you eat or drink.

Patient satisfaction is our main priority, we check your bite multiple times during your appointment to ensure everything feels wonderful. If it feels a little high once you get home, our patients are always welcome to return for a complimentary adjustment.

At Smiles of Ryde Dental surgery we ensure that the filling experience is as comfortable as possible. This means we spend time making sure you are seated in a comfortable position and that the whole experience is as painless as possible.

We use numbing gel prior to your injection. It is very important to us that you have a positive experience. We provide as many breaks as needed and use cotton rolls to protect your lips and cheeks.

There are 4 easy steps to ensure your dental fillings last as long as possible.

1. Come and see your dentist at Smiles of Ryde every 6 months 
2. Brush twice a day with Fluoride toothpaste
3. Floss every night
4. Limit the lollies and sweets

If your dentist is concerned that you are more prone to holes and at risk of needing more fillings, we will recommend further more personalised care plans.