{"id":1455,"date":"2025-01-17T04:30:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/?p=1455"},"modified":"2026-06-11T21:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:23:43","slug":"fillings-materials-used-and-what-to-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/fillings-materials-used-and-what-to-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Fillings: Materials Used and What to Expect"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-893\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dentist-coorparoo-1.jpg\" alt=\"dentist-coorparoo\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dentist-coorparoo-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dentist-coorparoo-1-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Understanding Dental Fillings<\/h2>\n<p>Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures we perform at our practice. When tooth decay creates a cavity, or when a tooth becomes damaged, fillings restore both function and structure. Over the years, the materials and techniques we use have evolved considerably, offering patients more choices than ever before. Understanding what&#8217;s available and what to expect during the procedure can help alleviate any concerns you might have about this routine treatment and here, our team at <strong>Brisbane Laser Dentist<\/strong> aims to explain this to you.<\/p>\n<p>At our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\">dentist Coorparoo<\/a> practice, we take pride in explaining all available options to our patients. The right filling material depends on various factors, including the location of the cavity, the extent of the decay, and your personal preferences regarding aesthetics and durability.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Filling Materials<\/h2>\n<h3>Composite Resin Fillings<\/h3>\n<p>Composite resin fillings have become increasingly popular due to their tooth-coloured appearance. These fillings are made from a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles, which we carefully match to the natural shade of your teeth. The material bonds directly to the tooth structure, providing good support and requiring less removal of healthy tooth material compared to some traditional options.<\/p>\n<p>Composite fillings work particularly well for front teeth and visible areas where aesthetics matter most. They set quickly under a special curing light, allowing us to complete the procedure efficiently whilst ensuring a strong, durable result.<\/p>\n<h3>Amalgam Fillings<\/h3>\n<p>Amalgam fillings have been used in dentistry for over a century and remain a reliable choice for posterior teeth. This material combines mercury with silver, tin, copper, and other metals to create a remarkably durable filling that withstands the considerable forces of chewing. Whilst they&#8217;re silver in colour and therefore more noticeable, amalgam fillings are exceptionally long-lasting and particularly suitable for large cavities in back teeth.<\/p>\n<h3>Glass Ionomer Fillings<\/h3>\n<p>Glass ionomer fillings are made from acrylic and a specific type of glass material. These fillings release fluoride over time, which can help protect the tooth from further decay. We often use glass ionomer for fillings below the gum line or for root surfaces. Whilst not as strong as composite or amalgam, they serve particular purposes admirably and bond well to tooth structure.<\/p>\n<h2>The Filling Procedure<\/h2>\n<p>When you visit our practice for a filling, we begin by ensuring you&#8217;re completely comfortable. Local anaesthetic numbs the area around the affected tooth, so you won&#8217;t feel pain during the procedure. Once the area is numb, we carefully remove the decayed portion of the tooth using precision instruments.<\/p>\n<p>After thoroughly cleaning the cavity to remove bacteria and debris, we prepare the space for the filling material. The preparation process varies slightly depending on which material we&#8217;re using. For composite fillings, we apply the material in layers, using a special light to harden each layer. Amalgam fillings are placed differently, packed firmly into the cavity space and shaped before they set.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the procedure, we ensure everything proceeds smoothly and check your comfort regularly. The entire process typically takes between thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the size and location of the filling.<\/p>\n<h2>What to Expect After Your Filling<\/h2>\n<p>Following your filling appointment at our <strong>dentist Coorparoo<\/strong> location, some sensitivity to temperature or pressure is normal and usually subsides within a few days. We recommend avoiding very hot or cold foods immediately after the procedure, particularly if you&#8217;ve had composite fillings.<\/p>\n<p>Your bite might feel slightly different initially, but this sensation typically disappears as you adjust to the new filling. If discomfort persists or your bite feels uneven after a few days, please contact us so we can make any necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, your filling should serve you well for many years. We&#8217;re here to answer any questions you have about maintaining your dental health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding Dental Fillings Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures we perform at our practice. When tooth decay creates a cavity, or when a tooth becomes damaged, fillings restore both function and structure. Over the years, the materials and techniques we use have evolved considerably, offering patients more choices than ever before. Understanding &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/fillings-materials-used-and-what-to-expect\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Fillings: Materials Used and What to Expect<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":893,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"%%post_title%% %%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dentist"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1455"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1458,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions\/1458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brisbanelaserdentist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}