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Dental Fillings

Absolute Smiles is a strictly mercury-free practice, meaning no dark metal amalgam fillings are used when filling and restoring cavities and broken teeth. Instead, we use tooth coloured fillings that match the look and colour of your natural tooth, whilst at the same time being strong, durable and a lot nicer to look at.

There are 2 types of filling material that can be used:

Composite Fillings
Composite is a tooth-coloured resin material that is routinely used to fill cavities of small to medium size. This involves one visit and typically takes 30-45 minutes to complete.

Porcelain Fillings
Porcelain fillings are made of tooth-coloured dental ceramic and are often used to fill larger cavities or replace existing metal fillings. Known as inlays and onlays, these fillings are very strong and durable, protecting the tooth from further damage.

At Absolute Smiles, we use state of the art 3D CAD-CAM technology known as CEREC, to make and fit your porcelain filling all in one day.

After numbing the tooth and removing decay, old filling material and any cracks, our intra-oral scanner will take a 3D scan of your tooth.

This scan is then used by our on-site dental technician to design, mill and hand-finish a custom fitting porcelain inlay/onlay, all within the space of approximately 90 minutes. The filling is then fitted and bonded in place and the procedure is completed.

Composite fillings start from $220. Ceramic inlays and onlays start from $950. The final cost will depend on the size of the filling and complexity of the treatment. Both types may be claimable on Private Health Insurance depending on your policy. Your dentist will provide you with an accurate quote once a consultation has been carried out.

Composite fillings are generally durable and can last on average 5-7 years, or even longer. Porcelain fillings are much stronger and often do not require replacement for at least 10-15 years. Factors such as diet, oral hygiene, habits like grinding and clenching all affect the lifespan of fillings and as such the longevity of dental work can vary greatly from person to person.

After careful examination of your teeth, one of our dentists will discuss all your treatment options and present you with a plan that best suits your individual needs.