Dental Fillings

A cavity is a bacterial infection inside of your tooth that causes enamel to deteriorate. Unless treated promptly, it will continue to enlarge or even spread into adjacent teeth.

Fillings stop cavities from getting worse and repair the damage they’ve already done. River Dental uses composite resin fillings that are white and free of amalgam. When placed into your tooth, the composite forms a tight seal that blocks out acids and bacteria, while also restoring the function of the tooth for chewing purposes.

What If My Cavity Is Too Large to Fill?

Indirect restorations like porcelain inlays and onlays are lab-made fillings designed for larger areas of damage. If a traditional filling would break off because of how much tooth is damaged, an inlay/onlay prevents the need for a full coverage dental crown.

Benefits of Resin Fillings

White fillings are made out of a tooth-coloured resin material that contains tiny glass particles. Compared to metal fillings, they bond with enamel to help hold the tooth together, rather than being wedged into place. This characteristic makes the tooth stronger and the filling less invasive.

We select the unique shade of resin for each individual, making it so that your white filling blends in with your smile.

Since composite fillings come in a variety of different colours and are hand-shaped directly to each tooth, it is a technique-sensitive procedure. Fortunately, it’s a service we’ve been offering for decades. The increased technology and development of this type of filling is one that offers great predictability and durable results.

Symptoms of Cavities

How can you know if you need to have a tooth filled? Aside from regular checkups and X-rays to evaluate your tooth structure, let us know if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Pain when you bite down
• A sharp or throbbing feeling
• Sensitivity to certain foods or beverages
• Discolouration
• Rough edges
• Floss or food catching between your teeth

The sooner we diagnose your cavity, the smaller and less invasive the filling can be.

Can Tooth Decay Be Reversed?

Demineralisation is the first stage of cavity development. When plaque rests on your enamel for a long time, it starts to weaken the structure and cause white spots or sensitivity. If caught early enough, fluoride may be able to remineralise the tooth before the damage becomes a physical cavity. However, physical decay that’s ruptured through the outer layer of enamel cannot repair itself.