Restorative care · Sandgate, North Brisbane
Dental Fillings in Sandgate
Dental fillings in Sandgate to repair teeth affected by decay, chips, wear or an old filling that has failed. We usually use tooth-coloured materials matched to your tooth, and we aim to keep as much healthy tooth as possible.
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- Local anaesthetic when needed
- Children and adults
- Health fund claims
Broken filling or toothache?
Call us and tell us what has happened so we can arrange the right appointment.
Toothache and dental pain →Reasons for a filling
Why might a tooth need a filling?
A filling replaces part of a tooth that has been lost or damaged. We see patients from Sandgate, Brighton, Shorncliffe, Bracken Ridge and nearby North Brisbane suburbs for these four common reasons.
01
Tooth decay
Repeated acid attacks remove minerals from the tooth. Once a cavity forms or the tooth is significantly damaged, a filling may be needed.
02
A broken or chipped tooth
Small chips can often be repaired with tooth-coloured material. Larger fractures may need a stronger restoration.
03
An old filling has failed
Fillings do not last forever. They can wear, chip, crack or develop gaps and decay around their edges.
04
Tooth wear
Some worn areas can be filled. We also look at what is causing the wear, such as grinding.
Materials
Tooth-coloured fillings in Sandgate
We choose the material tooth by tooth, based on the size and position of the damage, your bite and how much healthy tooth remains.
Composite resin
A tooth-coloured material used in front and back teeth. It is bonded to the tooth, hardened in place and comes in shades that blend with your natural tooth.
Book an assessment →Glass ionomer
A material that contains fluoride and suits selected situations. Silver amalgam was used for many years but is much less common today.
Kids dental care →Inlays and onlays
Made outside the mouth, often from ceramic, and bonded in. They suit damage too large for a simple filling where a full crown is not needed.
About inlays and onlays →Does every area of decay need a filling?
No. Very early decay that has not broken through the surface may be slowed or stopped with better plaque control, fluoride, fewer sugary snacks and drinks, and monitoring. We aim to treat the cause and keep healthy tooth, not drill every early change.
What to expect
What happens when you have a filling?
Every tooth is different, but most direct fillings follow the same steps.
We examine the tooth
We work out how far the damage goes and what caused it. X-rays may be recommended.
We numb the area when required
Local anaesthetic may be used to keep you comfortable, depending on the tooth and the treatment.
We remove damaged tooth structure
Decayed or unsupported tooth is removed while we keep as much healthy tooth as we can.
We place the filling
For a composite filling, the tooth is conditioned and bonded, then the material is placed and hardened.
We shape it and check your bite
The filling is shaped and polished, and we check your bite so it does not feel high.
Larger repairs
What if the filling would be very large?
A direct filling is not always right for a heavily damaged tooth. We look at how much healthy tooth remains, any cracks, previous restorations, your bite and whether the tooth has had root canal treatment, then match the restoration to the damage.
Inlays and onlays
An inlay restores an area within the biting surface. An onlay also covers one or more cusps.
Dental crowns
For a tooth that has lost a lot of structure or needs more protection than a filling can give.
Root canal treatment
When decay or damage has reached the nerve inside the tooth.
Broken and chipped teeth
How we assess and repair teeth that have cracked or broken.
After your filling
Sensitivity, old fillings and amalgam
Most fillings settle quickly. Here is what is normal, and how we decide whether an existing filling needs attention.
Is sensitivity normal?
Temporary sensitivity to cold, heat or biting is common after a filling and usually settles on its own.
When does an old filling need replacing?
Age or colour alone is not a reason. We look for cracks, lost material, gaps or decay at the edges. Some fillings are monitored or partly repaired, because replacing one also removes tooth.
What about silver amalgam fillings?
Amalgam contains metals including mercury. An existing amalgam filling does not need removing just for that reason. We assess it like any other filling and discuss options if it is failing.
When to call us
Call (07) 3269 2064 if sensitivity gets worse or does not settle, if pain is severe or comes on by itself, or if the filling feels high when you bite. It may need a small bite adjustment or a closer look.
Patient reviews
What our patients say
★★★★★
You get thorough, gentle care at this dentist and all the information you want about what’s going on and why.
★★★★★
Michael is consistently professional and detailed, and takes the time to explain things in common language. Thank you!!
★★★★★
Excellent, friendly service. Always explains all options and very flexible.
Meet your dentists
Experienced, highly qualified and genuinely kind
All of our dentists are registered with Ahpra and keep learning well beyond their degrees, so you get thoughtful, up-to-date care.
Dr Andrew Bachour
Principal Dentist
BDSc (Hons, UQ). Master’s degrees in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics and in Sleep Medicine. Special interest in TMJ, orofacial pain and airway health.
Dr Michael Au
Dentist
BDSc (Hons, UQ). Known for his gentle touch and clear explanations, with advanced training in restorative dentistry and full-mouth rehabilitation.
Dr Pei San Chan
Dentist
BDS (Adelaide), GradDip Orthodontics (JCU), DipOrtho (UJI). Warm, calm care for patients of all ages, including children and orthodontics.
Visit us
Dental fillings at our Sandgate clinic
119A Brighton RoadSandgate QLD 4017
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FAQ
Dental filling questions
Do you provide white fillings?
Yes. We use tooth-coloured composite resin for suitable front and back teeth, matched to the shade of your tooth.
Can early decay heal without a filling?
Very early decay that has not broken through the surface can sometimes be slowed or stopped without a filling. Once a cavity forms, a filling may be needed.
Does getting a filling hurt?
We use local anaesthetic when needed to keep the area comfortable. Some temporary sensitivity afterwards is common.
How long does a filling last?
No lifespan can be guaranteed. It depends on the material, the size and position of the filling, your oral hygiene, your decay risk and biting forces.
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Temporary sensitivity to hot, cold or biting is common and usually settles. If it gets worse, does not settle or the filling feels high, call us for a review.
Does a discoloured white filling need replacing?
Not necessarily. Composite can change colour over time, and colour change alone does not mean the filling has failed or that there is decay.
Should old amalgam fillings be removed?
Not just because they are old or contain amalgam. We assess them like any other filling and recommend replacement only for a clinical reason.
When is a crown better than a filling?
When a tooth has lost a lot of structure, is significantly weakened or needs more protection than a filling can give. We decide this tooth by tooth.
Think you may need a filling?
Sensitivity, a broken filling or visible damage are all worth checking. Book online or call our Sandgate team and we will assess whether a filling, monitoring or another option suits the tooth.