Our Dental Filling Procedure
Our dental filling process is simple, pain-free and tailored to meet your smile's unique needs. For patients with dental fear and anxiety, we offer sleep dentistry, including nitrous oxide, to make your appointment more relaxing.
Here’s what to expect during your visit:
- Comprehensive Exam — As always, our dentists start with a comprehensive exam to check for signs of oral disease and decay and any other concerns. This also allows us to determine the extent and location of the decay.
- Removing Decay — We start by gently and thoroughly removing any decayed tissue from the cavity so your tooth is clean and bacteria-free.
- Applying Composite Resin — We fill the cavity with tooth-coloured composite resin once prepped. Using a specialised light, we harden the resin instantly, so it securely bonds to your tooth for a durable hold.
- Shaping and Polishing — After setting, we carefully shape and polish the filling to match your bite and blend perfectly with your surrounding teeth. This final step ensures the restoration looks natural and feels comfortable when you chew.
For teeth with significant damage, we may add a small pin to support the filling to help strengthen the tooth and prevent the need for extraction. This extra step reinforces teeth that would otherwise be at risk.
Dental fillings have come a long way from the old days. Today, there’s no need for metal or mercury to restore a tooth’s strength and function—though, unfortunately, some practices still use these outdated materials. At Lifetime Dental, we proudly say no to toxic silver amalgam fillings (which contain mercury) and yes to biocompatible, tooth-coloured composite resin. This modern filling material blends seamlessly with your natural teeth and avoids metals and heavy-duty chemicals, so you can restore your smile without compromising your health. Our approach is simple: safe, effective and natural-looking. What’s better than that?