Murray Street Dental

Dental Fillings Llanelli

Dental fillings in Llanelli are used by the Dentist when some decay has formed in a tooth. The decay is removed and a filling is placed over to restore the tooth to its original size and shape.

Why do I need a filling if I am not having any pain and my tooth hasn’t broken?

Sometimes when decay is spotted early you may not yet be experiencing any symptoms from the tooth. This is a good thing! It means that the decay has been detected early by your Dentist. So by having a filling, you fix the problems before bigger, more complicated treatment may be required and before you start getting pain.

A dental chair and table which would both be used when doing a filling treatment

What is a dental filling?

There are many different types of filling materials available. What filling you need will be determined by where the decay is in the mouth and by how much decay is present. If you have a preference over which material is used please discuss this with your Llanelli Dentist at the beginning of your appointment so you can discuss the most suitable material to place. Fillings can be broadly categorised into two – direct and indirect.

Direct fillings

A direct filling is a filling placed by your Dentist at the same time as removing the decay present. These are the most common types of filling placed. Direct fillings come in three different materials.

Composite

A composite resin material is most commonly what people are talking about when they mention a “white filling”. These fillings bond directly to the tooth so minimal tooth tissue has to put be removed. They are also aesthetically pleasing as the colour can be matched to the shade of your tooth. As they bond directly to the tooth they can only be used where moisture control can be achieved  

Amalgam

These are your typical “silver” fillings. They are durable fillings but do not bond directly to your tooth tissue. 

Glass lonomer

Another type of white filling, however, is not as durable as composite. Usually used as a temporary filling or a filling in children’s teeth. They contain fluoride so can be useful to place when there is a high risk of further decay.

Direct fillings

A direct filling is a filling placed by your Dentist at the same time as removing the decay present. These are the most common types of filling placed. Direct fillings come in three different materials.

Composite

A composite resin material is most commonly what people are talking about when they mention a “white filling”. These fillings bond directly to the tooth so minimal tooth tissue has to put be removed. They are also aesthetically pleasing as the colour can be matched to the shade of your tooth. As they bond directly to the tooth they can only be used where moisture control can be achieved  

Amalgam

These are your typical “silver” fillings. They are durable fillings but do not bond directly to your tooth tissue. 

Glass lonomer

Another type of white filling, however, is not as durable as composite. Usually used as a temporary filling or a filling in children’s teeth. They contain fluoride so can be useful to place when there is a high risk of further decay.

Indirect fillings

These are fillings that are made in a dental laboratory or in our Cerec machine. Indirect fillings may be used if the tooth is broken down or if there is more of the tooth missing than can be replaced with a direct filling. These also come in different materials.

Gold

Gold has been used in dentistry for many years as it is an inert, strong material. In this instance, the tooth decay would be removed and then a dental laboratory would make a gold filling to fit your tooth and you would come back to have the filling cemented in place.

Porcelain

These types of fillings are made from a strong white material custom-made to fit your tooth. They can be made in our in-house Cerec machine meaning it takes a shorter time than a gold indirect filling.

Indirect fillings

These are fillings that are made in a dental laboratory or in our Cerec machine. Indirect fillings may be used if the tooth is broken down or if there is more of the tooth missing than can be replaced with a direct filling. These also come in different materials.

Gold

Gold has been used in dentistry for many years as it is an inert, strong material. In this instance, the tooth decay would be removed and then a dental laboratory would make a gold filling to fit your tooth and you would come back to have the filling cemented in place.

Porcelain

These types of fillings are made from a strong white material custom-made to fit your tooth. They can be made in our in-house Cerec machine meaning it takes a shorter time than a gold indirect filling.

Book a dental filling appointment today

Any queries you have on different fillings or if you require a filling please contact us here at Murray Street Dental and let our private dentist in Llanelli help.

Dental cheek retractor