Fillings & Sealants

What are fillings?

Fillings are used to restore teeth with cavities. They’re mostly needed in the molar (back) teeth where decay’s more common. However, correctly cleaning your teeth and maintaining a healthy diet can eliminate the need for fillings altogether. Regular dental health check-ups can also make sure any problems are caught and treated early.

The types of filling material used by our dentists include:

• Tooth-coloured fillings
• Dental amalgam (silver coloured)
• Other forms of tooth restoration, like gold or ceramic inlays or crowns, which are an alternative to amalgam and tooth-coloured filling materials.

What are sealants?

Fissure sealants help prevent tooth decay as they fill in the natural pits and fissures in the back (molar) teeth. A dental sealant is a tooth-coloured plastic film that’s professionally applied to the deep grooves (fissures) on the molars where tooth decay most often starts.

The bacteria in plaque live in these grooves and make acid, which causes tooth decay. Dental sealants help prevent the build-up of plaque acids on the enamel surface.

A good time to apply sealants is soon after permanent teeth have fully erupted. Ask your dentist whether this would be beneficial for you or your children.