Dental Fillings in Carnegie
Over 2,000 5-star reviews
Dental Fillings in Carnegie
Over 2,000 5-star reviews
Dental Fillings in Carnegie
Dental Fillings
A filling is one of the most common dental treatments — and one of the most effective ways to stop decay in its tracks and restore a tooth back to full function. At DentalCare Carnegie, we offer tooth-coloured fillings that look natural and feel completely comfortable.
What Is a Dental Filling?
A filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay, a crack, or wear. Your dentist removes the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth and fills the space with a restorative material — stopping the damage from spreading and restoring the tooth's shape and strength.
Fillings aren't just for cavities. You may also need one if a tooth is cracked or chipped, or if a tooth has worn down from habits like grinding (bruxism) or nail-biting.
Composite fillings vs Silver amalgam fillings
Indirect fillings
What Type of Filling Will I Get?
We primarily use tooth-coloured composite resin fillings — a durable plastic and glass material that is matched to the shade of your natural teeth. Most patients prefer them because they're virtually invisible, and they bond directly to the tooth, which means less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed.
- Composite (tooth-coloured) fillings are suitable for most situations — both front and back teeth — and are the most commonly placed filling today.
- Silver amalgam fillings are a traditional option, known for their strength and longevity. Less commonly requested now due to aesthetics and possible long term damage to the remaining tooth structure.
- Indirect fillings (inlays and onlays) are used when a tooth has too much damage to support a standard filling, but not quite enough to need a full crown. These are custom-made and placed over two appointments.
Your dentist will recommend the best option based on the size and location of the cavity and your individual needs.
How Do We Detect Decay?
We use several methods to check for cavities and decay, so nothing gets missed:
- Visual examination
Looking for discolouration or softness in the enamel, sometimes aided by magnification
- Cavity-detecting dye
A rinse that clings to decayed areas, making them easy to identify
- Digital X-rays
Reveal decay between teeth or beneath the enamel surface
Catching decay early means smaller, simpler fillings — and less time in the chair.
What Happens During a Filling?
The whole process is straightforward and completed in a single visit.
Step 1 — Numbing the area
Step 2 — Removing the decay
Step 3 — Placing the filling
Step 4 — Finishing and polishing
Step 1 — Numbing the area
Your dentist will apply local anaesthetic so you don't feel anything during the procedure. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable it is.
Step 2 — Removing the decay
The decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is removed using a dental drill. Once the decay is cleared, the space is shaped ready for the filling material.
Step 3 — Placing the filling
For composite fillings, the material is applied in layers and hardened with a special curing light after each layer. This creates a strong, lasting bond with the tooth.
Step 4 — Finishing and polishing
The filling is shaped to fit your bite and polished smooth. The whole filling process typically takes 15 minutes depending on the size of the filling.
What to Expect After a Filling
It's normal to experience some sensitivity after a filling — to pressure, temperature, or sweet foods — particularly with composite fillings. This usually settles within one to two weeks.
- If your bite feels high (like the filled tooth is hitting first when you close), call us promptly. A quick adjustment will fix this and should relieve any discomfort.
- If you notice a sharp edge, contact us and we'll smooth it down — this is easy to miss right after treatment when the area is still numb.
- If sensitivity is severe or persists beyond two weeks, let us know. In rare cases where decay was very deep, further treatment may be needed. The sooner you get in touch, the quicker we can sort it.
Book Your Appointment
If you've been putting off getting a filling, the sooner it's treated the better — small cavities are much easier (and less costly) to fix than larger ones. Book online or give us a call.
Email:
dentalcarecarnegie@gmail.com
Phone:
(03) 9571 6667
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, visible holes or dark spots on a tooth, pain when biting, or a rough or sharp edge you can feel with your tongue. However, many cavities cause no symptoms at all in their early stages — which is why regular check-ups are so important. Your dentist will detect decay early with X-rays and a thorough examination.
With local anaesthetic, you should feel no pain during the procedure — just some pressure and vibration. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it is. We also offer needle-free comfort options for patients who are anxious about injections. Any mild sensitivity after the appointment typically settles within one to two weeks.
Most fillings are completed in a single appointment, typically taking around 30 – 60 minutes depending on the size and location of the cavity. Indirect fillings such as inlays or onlays require two appointments as they are custom-made in a dental laboratory.
Composite (tooth-coloured) fillings typically last 7 – 10 years with good care. Longevity depends on the size and location of the filling, your bite, and your oral hygiene habits. We check existing fillings at every routine appointment and will let you know if one needs attention.
Yes — many patients choose to replace old amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite for aesthetic or personal preference reasons. We'll assess the existing filling and the health of the surrounding tooth before recommending replacement. Not all old fillings need replacing if they're still in good condition.
Dental fillings are generally covered under extras cover, though the rebate depends on your fund, policy level, and annual limits.
With composite fillings, you can eat as soon as the anaesthetic wears off — usually one to two hours after the appointment. Avoid very hard or sticky foods on the filled side for the first 24 hours. If sensitivity is present, stick to soft foods and avoid extreme temperatures until it settles.
Usually, you can avail our services in the suburbs like: Murrumbeena, Moorabbin, Chadstone, Ashburton, Caulfield, Malvern, Glen Iris, Malvern East, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East.
We’re also happy to see patients from any suburb, town or country.
Preferred Providers:
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Why Choose DentalCare Carnegie?
- Open 7 days, with extended hours and public holiday availability.
- Flexible payment plan options available, including Afterpay, ZIP Money, Humm and SmileFund.
- On-the-spot health fund claiming with HICAPS.
- Preferred provider status with Medibank, Bupa and NIB.
- Comfort-focused care, including modern local anaesthetic techniques to help minimise discomfort during treatment.
