Tooth Fillings to Restore Strength, Function and Oral Health
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Natural Looking, Mercury Free Fillings — Completed in a Single Visit
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental conditions in Australia, and a filling is the most straightforward way to treat it, removing the decayed portion of the tooth, cleaning the area, and restoring it to its natural shape and function before the damage can progress further.
At Doncaster Dental, we use tooth-coloured composite resin fillings exclusively, no amalgam (silver/mercury) fillings. Composite resin is colour-matched to your existing teeth, bonds directly to the tooth structure, requires less removal of healthy tooth than amalgam, and produces a result that is virtually invisible in your smile.
Tooth fillings at Doncaster Dental are completed in a single appointment, typically 30–60 minutes depending on the size and location of the cavity. Whether you have a known cavity or have noticed a chipped or broken tooth, our experienced dental team will assess and restore the tooth promptly and comfortably.
We serve patients from Doncaster, Templestowe, Doncaster East, Balwyn North, Bulleen, Box Hill North, Blackburn North, and surrounding suburbs.
Why Tooth Coloured Fillings — and Why We Don't Use Amalgam
Amalgam (silver) fillings were the standard for most of the 20th century, durable and functional, but with significant drawbacks. At Doncaster Dental, we haven’t used amalgam for many years, and for good reason.
Appearance — amalgam fillings are conspicuous. Every time you laugh, yawn, or open your mouth wide, dark metallic fillings are clearly visible. Composite resin is colour-matched to your tooth, making the restoration virtually undetectable.
Tooth conservation — amalgam does not bond to tooth structure. To hold an amalgam filling in place, the cavity must be prepared in a specific shape that often requires removing additional healthy tooth structure beyond just the decayed portion. Composite resin bonds directly to the tooth through adhesive bonding, allowing the cavity preparation to be more conservative — preserving more of your natural tooth.
No mercury — amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury by weight, bound with other metals. While dental amalgam has been used safely for many decades and regulatory bodies consider existing restorations safe to leave in place, many patients prefer to avoid mercury-containing materials in new restorations. Composite is entirely mercury-free.
Less sensitivity — the metal in amalgam expands and contracts with temperature changes, which can over time cause fine cracks in tooth structure and increased sensitivity. Composite resin does not exhibit the same thermal expansion, resulting in less long-term sensitivity for most patients.
Structural support — because composite bonds directly to the tooth through adhesive chemistry, it actually reinforces the remaining tooth structure rather than simply filling a void within it.
What Can Tooth Fillings Treat?
Composite resin fillings are used to restore a wide range of dental problems in a single appointment:
Tooth decay (cavities) — the most common use. Decayed material is removed, the cavity is cleaned and prepared, and composite resin is placed to restore the tooth to its original shape and function. Early-stage decay that is caught at a routine check-up requires a smaller, simpler filling, another reason regular dental visits matter.
Chipped or broken teeth — composite resin can be used to rebuild the shape of a chipped or fractured tooth, particularly for front teeth where appearance is important. This is sometimes called composite bonding.
Worn tooth edges — teeth worn down by grinding (bruxism) or acid erosion can be built back up with composite resin to restore lost tooth height and improve appearance.
Replacing old amalgam fillings — patients wishing to replace existing amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured restorations can do so at Doncaster Dental. Your dentist will assess each filling individually and advise on whether replacement is appropriate at your check-up.
Small gaps between teeth — composite resin can be used to close minor gaps between front teeth (diastema closure) without the need for veneers or orthodontic treatment in some cases.
Tooth sensitivity from exposed root surfaces — composite resin can be placed over exposed root surfaces to reduce sensitivity caused by gum recession.
When Is a Filling Not Enough?
A composite resin filling is an excellent solution for small to moderate cavities and minor tooth damage. However, there are situations where a filling alone is not sufficient to adequately restore a tooth:
Large cavities or extensive decay — when a significant portion of tooth structure has been lost to decay, a filling may not provide adequate structural support. In these cases, a dental crown is typically recommended to fully encase and protect the tooth.
Cracked or fractured teeth — a crack that extends deep into the tooth structure may require a crown to hold the tooth together and prevent further fracture. If the crack has extended to the pulp, root canal treatment may be needed before the crown.
Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment — root canal-treated teeth are generally more brittle and require a crown for protection in most cases.
Failed or fractured existing fillings that have allowed further decay — repeated replacement of a filling in the same tooth can eventually leave insufficient tooth structure for another filling to bond to reliably.
Your dentist will always recommend the most conservative treatment option that is clinically appropriate for your situation, and will explain clearly why a crown or other restoration is recommended over a filling when that is the case.
Your Tooth Filling Appointment at Doncaster Dental
Tooth fillings at Doncaster Dental are straightforward, comfortable, and completed in a single visit. Here’s what to expect:
Assessment & diagnosis — your dentist examines the tooth and, where indicated, takes digital X-rays to assess the extent of the decay and confirm that a filling is the appropriate treatment. Digital X-rays allow us to detect decay between teeth and beneath existing restorations that would not be visible clinically.
Local anaesthetic — the tooth and surrounding area are numbed with local anaesthetic before any treatment begins. You should feel no pain, only occasional pressure sensations, during the procedure. If at any point you feel discomfort, let your dentist know immediately.
Decay removal — the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is carefully removed using a dental handpiece. Our dentists take a conservative approach, removing only what is necessary to ensure a clean, healthy surface for the filling to bond to.
Cavity preparation & conditioning — the cavity is cleaned, shaped, and treated with an adhesive bonding agent that prepares the tooth surface for the composite resin to bond to chemically.
Colour matching — the composite resin shade is selected to match your natural tooth colour as closely as possible. For front teeth in particular, this step is done with care to ensure the final result blends seamlessly.
Layering & bonding — composite resin is placed in thin layers. Each layer is hardened (cured) using a specialised LED light before the next layer is applied. This layering technique builds up the filling from the inside out, ensuring thorough curing and optimal strength throughout the restoration.
Shaping & bite adjustment — once the filling is built to the correct shape, your dentist checks and adjusts the bite carefully. A high bite point, where the new filling makes contact with the opposing tooth before the rest of the teeth, is one of the most common causes of post-filling discomfort and is corrected before you leave.
Polishing — the filling is finished and polished to a smooth surface that blends naturally with the surrounding tooth enamel and is easy to keep clean.
The entire appointment typically takes 30–60 minutes for a single filling, slightly longer for multiple fillings or more complex restorations. Most patients are able to eat normally within a few hours of their appointment.
Caring for Your Filling
Composite resin fillings are cared for in exactly the same way as natural teeth:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss daily — particularly around filled teeth and in between the contacts where decay most commonly starts
- Attend regular check-ups and cleans every six months — your dentist will assess the condition of existing fillings at every visit and identify any that are beginning to wear, crack, or show signs of recurrent decay at the margins
- Avoid biting hard objects (ice, pens, fingernails) that can chip or crack both composite fillings and natural teeth
- Wear a custom nightguard if you grind your teeth — grinding significantly accelerates wear on composite fillings and can cause them to chip or fracture prematurely
How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, composite resin fillings typically last 7–12 years, though many last significantly longer. Longevity depends on the size and location of the filling, your oral hygiene, diet, and habits such as grinding. Back teeth (molars and premolars) place greater chewing forces on fillings and may wear more quickly than front teeth.
Your dentist will monitor your fillings at each check-up appointment and advise when a filling needs to be replaced, ideally before failure occurs and before any recurrent decay can develop at the margins.
Why Choose Doncaster Dental for Tooth Fillings?
Tooth-coloured composite only — we don’t use amalgam. Every filling placed at Doncaster Dental is tooth-coloured, mercury-free, and designed to blend naturally with your smile.
Conservative approach — composite bonding allows us to remove less healthy tooth structure than amalgam. We always aim for the most conservative restoration that is clinically appropriate.
Accurate decay detection — we use digital X-rays and intra-oral cameras to detect decay at the earliest possible stage, when fillings are smallest, simplest, and most conservative. Learn more about our technology →
Single appointment — tooth fillings at Doncaster Dental are completed in one visit, with no need for temporary restorations or return appointments.
Experienced, gentle dentists — Our team, Dr Jamie Do, Dr Brendan Moore, and Kate Jolly, take care at every step of the filling process to ensure your comfort and a result that looks and feels completely natural.
Comprehensive restorative care — if a filling alone isn’t sufficient for your tooth, we offer a full range of restorative options including crowns, root canal treatment, and dental implants, all under one roof.
Established since 1962 — one of Doncaster’s most trusted and long-serving dental practices, providing general and restorative dentistry to the local community for over 60 years.
FAQs — Tooth Fillings
A tooth filling is a restorative dental procedure in which decayed, damaged, or worn tooth structure is removed and replaced with a filling material to restore the tooth’s shape, strength, and function. Fillings are most commonly used to treat cavities caused by tooth decay, but are also used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, worn tooth surfaces caused by grinding, and teeth damaged by acid erosion. If left untreated, a cavity will continue to grow deeper into the tooth — eventually reaching the pulp and requiring root canal treatment, or becoming so extensive that the tooth cannot be saved. A routine check-up at Doncaster Dental every six months is the most reliable way to catch cavities early, when a simple filling is all that is needed.
White fillings — also known as composite resin fillings or tooth-coloured fillings — are made from a blend of plastic and fine glass particles that can be precisely matched to the colour of the surrounding tooth, making them virtually invisible once placed. They bond directly to the tooth structure, allowing more of the natural tooth to be preserved during preparation. Silver amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. While amalgam fillings are durable and have been used in dentistry for over 150 years, they are visually obvious, require more tooth structure to be removed to create mechanical retention, expand and contract with temperature changes over time which can stress the tooth, and contain mercury — though the evidence on amalgam safety is well established. At Doncaster Dental, all new fillings are tooth-coloured composite resin, providing a natural appearance and strong, reliable restoration.
The filling procedure itself is not painful as it is performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the tooth and surrounding gum tissue completely before any work begins. Patients may feel pressure or vibration during the procedure but should not experience pain. It is normal to experience some sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure in the days immediately following a filling as the tooth settles — this is particularly common with deeper fillings placed close to the pulp. This sensitivity typically resolves within one to two weeks. If sensitivity is severe, worsening, or persists beyond two weeks, contact Doncaster Dental on (03) 9848 1322 as this may indicate the filling needs adjustment or that the decay was deeper than initially apparent.
A straightforward tooth filling at Doncaster Dental is typically completed in a single appointment lasting between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the size and location of the cavity and the number of teeth being filled. This includes the time for local anaesthetic to take effect, removal of the decayed or damaged tooth structure, colour matching, placement of the composite resin in layers, curing with a dental light, and final shaping and polishing to ensure the filling sits correctly with the bite. There is no need for a laboratory fabrication or a second appointment — the filling is completed chairside from start to finish.
Composite resin fillings at Doncaster Dental are durable and long-lasting, typically lasting between 7 and 10 years or more with proper care. Longevity depends on the size of the filling, its location in the mouth, oral hygiene habits, diet, and whether the patient grinds their teeth. Back teeth fillings are subject to greater chewing forces than front teeth, which can affect wear over time. Regular check-ups at Doncaster Dental allow existing fillings to be monitored for wear, cracking, or leakage around the margins — a filling that has begun to fail can be replaced before the underlying tooth is further compromised.
Yes. Doncaster Dental can replace old silver amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite resin fillings for patients who want a more natural appearance or are concerned about the aesthetics of their existing restorations. Replacement is also clinically recommended when an amalgam filling shows signs of cracking, leakage, or secondary decay developing underneath it. However, replacing a filling that is still sound and functioning well purely for cosmetic reasons involves removing tooth structure that is otherwise intact — a decision that should be made with guidance from your dentist. Your dentist at Doncaster Dental will assess the condition of your existing fillings and advise whether replacement is clinically indicated or simply a matter of personal preference.
A filling can fall out due to new decay developing underneath it, a crack in the filling material, biting on a hard food, or simply reaching the end of its lifespan. A tooth with a lost filling is vulnerable — the exposed dentine is sensitive, and the cavity is open to bacteria that can accelerate decay and increase the risk of infection. If your filling falls out, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, keep the area clean, and contact Doncaster Dental on (03) 9848 1322 to arrange a prompt appointment. In the interim, a temporary filling material from a chemist can be used to cover the cavity and reduce sensitivity, though this is a short-term measure only.
Yes — composite resin used for tooth-coloured fillings is the same material used in dental bonding, and can be used to repair minor chips, small fractures, and worn tooth edges, particularly on front teeth. The composite is shaped and polished to restore the natural contour of the tooth and matched precisely to the surrounding tooth colour, producing a result that is virtually seamless. For larger chips or fractures that involve a significant portion of the tooth, a veneer or crown may be a more appropriate and durable long-term solution. Your dentist at Doncaster Dental will assess the extent of the damage and recommend the most conservative treatment that will deliver a lasting result.
Yes — tooth fillings are generally covered under general dental with private health insurance extras policies in Australia, making them one of the more accessible restorative treatments from a health fund perspective. The benefit amount varies between funds and levels of cover, and annual limits apply. Tooth-coloured composite fillings are covered by most extras policies, though some older or more basic policies may pay a benefit based on the rate for amalgam fillings rather than composite — it is worth checking with your insurer if you are unsure. Doncaster Dental can provide an itemised account after your appointment to assist with any health fund claims.
