Dental Fillings in West Perth

There are various types of filling materials to choose from, and your dentist will help you decide which filling for teeth suits you, depending on the tooth’s location and function. The most common types of fillings are composite (tooth-coloured), plastic, porcelain, gold, and silver amalgam. Silver amalgam consists of mercury, silver, zinc, and copper. Each of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages. Overall, gold material may be the most durable, but it is also the most expensive and is more visible.

On the other hand, a composite resin material, also called white fillings, may be an attractive option because they almost look like your natural teeth. However, they may not be as durable as ceramic fillings.

Similar to other restorations, such as dental crowns, getting a filling for teeth in West Perth is not painful since the dentist will numb the area around the tooth before starting the procedure. You may feel some pressure during the injection of anaesthesia, but this is due to the reaction of the anaesthesia blocking the nerve signals to stop the pain.

After the anaesthesia effects wear off, you may feel some sensitivity and discomfort. You can take over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain, and it should go away after a day or two.

In general, a filling for teeth lasts for about 10 to 20 years or more, but this depends primarily on the material used and how patients take care of them or their oral habits. Good oral hygiene habits include brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. Another way to extend the lifespan of dental fillings is to avoid sugary foods and drinks, as well as hard and sticky foods.

The lifespan of gold fillings can be up to 15 to 30 years, even with regular wear and tear. Amalgam fillings can last for 10 to 15 years, while composite fillings can last for ten years with proper dental care. There’s no definite lifespan for dental fillings, but you will know you have defective fillings that need replacement if they become loose or broken or if you experience tooth decay or cavities around the filling.

This depends on your location, your dentist, the type of tooth filling material you need, and your dental insurance cover. In general, composite materials cost more than silver amalgam fillings, and as mentioned, gold fillings are usually the most expensive. But, on average, a white filling can cost between $310 and $695. 

Call your dentist to ask for a more accurate estimate before undergoing this dental treatment.

It depends on your level of cover. If your health fund policy includes a general dental extras cover, it may cover the cost of a simple dental filling. On the other hand, a more complex tooth filling procedure falls under major dental. Please check with your health fund provider to see what type of cover you have for dental fillings.