Composite fillings use strong, durable resin to fill cavities and repair cracks or fractures in teeth. Unlike amalgam (silver) fillings, composite fillings offer a tighter fit than these older dental filling materials, and are aesthetically-pleasing because they are the color of your natural teeth. Composite, tooth-colored fillings are perfect for patients who want to fill front or back teeth.

If required, a local anaesthetic will then be administered and we will commence drilling the decay from the tooth to prepare for its restorative treatment. The tooth coloured composite material is then placed in the cavity (hole) in layers to strengthen its core and body. A special light is then shone on each layer to encourage the setting of the restoration and to speed up the process. We will then shape the restoration, so that it looks as realistic as possible, and so it does not interfere with the way your teeth meet when you bite and chew.

The quick answer? It depends. There are many factors that can determine just how long it will take to get a tooth filling; including the size of a cavity or fracture, its location, and how many fillings you need. Composite resin fillings require that the material be painted on your tooth and then hardened using a special light, so the process may take longer depending on the extent of your cavity.

There really isn’t a limit to the number of fillings your dentist can give you at one time. In fact, if you have a few cavities located in the same area (the upper right of your mouth, for example), your dentist can give you a few tooth fillings all at once. The biggest limit to how many cavities a patient can get done in one sitting depends on a variety of factors: How long can you be at the dentist? Do you have any time constraints? Can you hold your mouth open for an extended period of time? It also depends on how much anesthetic our dentists can administer safely. But whether you need one filling, three fillings, or ten, we can set you up on a plan to get them filled on a schedule that fits your needs.

Dentistry today should not hurt and at Overton Dental Practice, we commit to ensuring you are comfortable, relaxed and at ease during the full process.

Unlike amalgam fillings, composite dental fillings allow patients to eat right after getting the procedure. However, we do recommend that patients only resume eating after the local anesthetic wears off. It can be quite difficult to eat when your lips and mouth are numb! Plus, you don’t want to run the risk of accidentally biting your lip, cheek, or tongue (ouch!).

For restorative treatment, sedation is often not required unless the patient feels very anxious about the experience.

We understand that coming to the dentist can be daunting and so our team will use a variety of techniques to create a calm, secure environment that will ease even the most nervous of patients. If a patient requests sedation, we can arrange referral to some other practices nearby.