Most of us don’t expect our dentist to actually find any issues when they do our check-ups. It can come as quite a shock to be told you’ll need additional treatment, such as a filling.
But hey, look. Most people will get one filling or another in their lifetime, so you don’t need to worry too much. While it’s not ideal, try to see the positive. A filling protects you because it’s a treatment option for a damaged or decayed tooth. Fillings restore function and shape, and stop things from getting any worse.
Fillings are super common and there’s nothing to worry about, but at smilogy we love to keep our customers informed. Here’s a bit of an overview of what to expect and what they’re really for.
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Toggleat your check-up
At smilogy, our Australian dentists will put you right at ease. In a typical check-up, they’ll use a mirror to examine each of your teeth, taking particular care to study the surfaces.
We look for all kinds of things, to make sure everything is going smoothly when it comes to your smile. However, this is where we sometimes discover that you actually need a filling because of cavities or cracks.
which type of filling is best?
Your parents probably had silver fillings, but these aren’t super common anymore. Most fillings these days are either porcelain or composite, but it depends on any allergies you might have, where your cavity is located and how much you want to spend.
At smilogy, the most common fillings we use are either porcelain or composite. These are both colour matched to your teeth for optimal results. Composite ones act like your real teeth, and can look incredibly natural. However, like your real teeth, they can become stained and aren’t as durable.
Porcelain fillings, on the other hand, come in the form of inlays or onlays. We custom-make them and make sure they match the rest of your smile completely. As a bonus, they’re stain resistant.
can i just leave it?
No. A filling’s main job is to stop the progression of tooth decay. A filling stops bacteria reaching the middle of your tooth where all the nerves and blood vessels can be found. It can stop inflammation, pain and the need for more complex treatment such as having the tooth taken out.
As a bonus, they restore your smile when you’ve experienced damage and in most cases, nobody ever needs to know.
book your check-up now
Dr Luke Cronin
As a graduate of the University of Queensland (2000, 2013) and the University of Sydney (2006), Dr Cronin is one of Australia’s leading cosmetic dentists, specialising in creating stunning new smiles with cutting edge cosmetic dentistry techniques, including clear aligners, whitening and porcelain veneers.
Dr Cronin's work has been showcased in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Elle magazine and in 2019 he was awarded Australasian Dentist of the Year by My Face My Body in 2019.
Acknowledged an expert in his field for segments on the Today Show and House of Wellness, Dr Cronin now offers his first-class cosmetic treatments and customer care at smilogy.