White Fillings
Fillings are one of the most common methods of restoring teeth. They usually fill a hole in the tooth that has been caused by decay, playing an important role in helping us to keep a tooth for many more years.
We use the most effective, modern, tooth-coloured materials. Unlike the more traditional grey amalgam fillings, the tooth-coloured ones look very natural, so no-one will be able to tell you have them. We employ the most gentle and comfortable anaesthetic techniques, as well as the strongest and most effective anaesthetics.
We always ensure that throughout every visit with us, you can be completely comfortable from start to finish. When the decay has been removed, the tooth is then filled. For tooth coloured fillings, the material is placed into the hole in layers, with a special light being shone on each layer to speed up the setting process.
We will then shape the filling, 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. It will feel smooth and should be comfortable immediately. White fillings are only suitable where there is enough tooth structure left to support them. Where a tooth has a large old filling and you would like it replaced with a white material it is usually more reliable to get a porcelain onlay. This is a custom made block of porcelain which fits perfectly in your tooth. White fillings are unsuitable where large cavities in the tooth are present.
Cosmetic Bondings
Bondings are most suitable for small gaps between teeth less than 2 mm wide. They are also useful for slightly crooked or misshapen teeth. In these situations they can be a very gentle and fast way of dramatically improving your smile. Typically bondings only last for a few years as they are just bonded to the tooth. How long they last depends on how hard you chew or grind your teeth. Sometimes people will get veneers if they are looking for a longer term solution or for larger gaps or changes to their smile.
Mercury Free
All the fillings we do at Seapoint Clinic are Mercury Free. We can also remove mercury fillings safely for you if you are unhappy with the appearance of them.
Inlays/Onlays: Single-visit Crowns
If you have a large filling in your tooth or old leaky metal fillings you are probably a good candidate for single-visit crowns/inlays. These can provide beautiful long lasting restorations for your teeth which can look just like the original in only one visit. There are much stronger than regular fillings as they are milled from a solid block of porcelain using CAD/CAM.
Regular silver fillings contain mercury which most doctors recommend is best avoided. White fillings are not as strong and so are only suitable for small cavities where the tooth is still strong. In the many other cases Cerec inlays/crowns are the best option.
In most dental practices getting an inlay or crown means more than one visit. This means a temporary is necessary which can come loose or cause discomfort. It also usually means a second local anaesthetic is necessary as well as a second day off work. Cerec inlays and crowns change all that. We can do practically all the crowns and inlays on the back teeth in just one visit. That means you need less time off and will have less discomfort. You can leave the same day with your new permanent tooth.
