Tooth-coloured fillings in South Edmonton
A filling repairs a tooth where decay has broken through the surface. The decayed part is removed and the space is rebuilt with a tooth-coloured material that bonds to what is left. It is done under freezing and takes about an hour.
What happens
One appointment
You can eat straight afterwards. There is nothing to wait for and nothing to come back for.
How much is covered
Filling, inlay, onlay or crown
The four repairs are the same idea at four sizes. Which one you need is decided by how much sound tooth is left to hold it.
The smallest repair that will hold is always the right one
- FillingA small hole
- InlayA bigger hole
- OnlayA cusp has gone
- CrownMost of the tooth
more of your own tooth keptmore of it replaced
Why decay happens
Does sugar cause cavities?
Not quite, and the difference matters. Bacteria on the tooth turn sugar into acid, and the acid dissolves the enamel. What decides it is how often, not how much.
Tooth-coloured, or the old silver kind?
Tooth-coloured composite
- Matched to your tooth, so it does not show.
- Bonds to the tooth, so less sound tooth is removed.
- Placed and finished in one visit.
- Best suited to small and medium repairs.
Amalgam
- Very hard-wearing, which is why old ones last decades.
- Visible, and it darkens the tooth around it over time.
- Held by shape rather than bonding, so more tooth is cut away.
- Not something we place, though we are happy to leave yours alone.
A sound old amalgam does not need replacing just because it is silver. We replace one when it is failing, cracked or decaying underneath, not on appearance alone.
Afterwards
What to expect
Fillings are routine, and so is a little sensitivity while the tooth settles.
Dr. Gordon Poznikoff
Dr. David Osborne
Dr. Kim Tan
Dr. Siew TanReady to visit?
We're easy to reach.
780-434-8749
In Heritage Square, right next to the IDA Pharmacy
FAQ
What does a filling cost?
We go over the quote with you before any work is done. We bill your insurer directly wherever your plan allows it. We make every attempt to work with your insurer so your plan covers as much as it can, and what a plan finally pays is the insurer's decision. The practice is a registered provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. There is more on fees and insurance.
Do sweeteners like stevia and aspartame cause cavities?
No. Decay happens when bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid, and these sweeteners are not sugar, so the bacteria cannot use them. Sugar-free is not the same as harmless, though. Many sugar-free drinks are acidic in their own right, and acid wears enamel whether there is sugar in it or not.
How long do bonded fillings last, and are they guaranteed?
Several years to well over a decade, depending on the size of the filling, where it sits, and whether you grind. Small fillings in low-stress areas last longest. Fillings are guaranteed for two years and crowns for five years against defects in the materials or the lab work, provided you keep up regular check-ups and cleanings.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not simply because they are silver. A sound amalgam filling that is sealed and not causing problems is usually best left alone, since replacing it means removing more tooth. They are replaced when they crack, leak or decay underneath.
Will the filling be sensitive afterwards?
Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal, particularly with a deeper filling. Sensitivity that worsens or lingers should be checked.
Can a filling fix a chipped front tooth?
Often yes. The same composite can be shaped and polished to rebuild a chipped edge, which is usually done in a single appointment.