Tooth-coloured fillings in Durban North

When a tooth needs a filling

Have a tooth checked if you notice any of these:

• it twinges with sweet, hot or cold food and drink;
• there's a dark spot, or a hole you can feel with your tongue;
• food keeps catching between two teeth;
• an edge feels rough or has broken off;
• an old filling has cracked, worn down or fallen out.

Cavities don't always hurt, so many are found at a check-up while they're still small and need only a small filling.

A filling works when the nerve of the tooth is healthy and enough sound tooth is left to hold it. If not, we tell you at the examination what the tooth needs. For a chipped or uneven front tooth, composite bonding or a composite veneer can suit better.

How a filling feels

Once the anaesthetic has worked, you'll usually feel pressure and vibration, not pain.

For a week or two afterwards the tooth may be sensitive to cold or to biting, and the gum may feel a little tender. It usually settles. Call us on 031 563 2473 if the pain gets worse instead of better, you notice swelling, the filling breaks or your bite feels uneven.

Investing in your teeth

You can pay for a filling with medical aid, card or cash, and ask about paying in instalments. Read what a dental visit costs.

How long fillings last

Fillings typically last 10 to 20 years, depending on the material, the size of the filling and how you look after your teeth. To help yours last:

• brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth;
• if you grind or clench your teeth, often at night, ask about a night guard;
• don't bite ice, pen tops or bones;
• keep up your check-ups, so a worn filling can be repaired before the tooth under it breaks.