White Composite Fillings in Mount Lawley

The cost of a composite filling depends on which tooth is involved, how many surfaces need restoring and how much of the tooth remains. A small single-surface filling on a front tooth is a very different procedure to a large three-surface restoration on a molar. Fees for composite fillings typically fall within a moderate range in Australia, and most extras policies contribute meaningfully. At Dental On Railway we always examine, take any necessary X-rays and give you a written quote with item numbers before treatment begins, so there are no surprises. Our $295 new patient offer includes the exam, clean, OPG and bitewing X-rays and a full treatment plan — the ideal way to find out exactly what you need.

With good home care, a well-placed composite filling commonly lasts many years — often a decade or more. Longevity depends on the size of the filling, where it sits in your bite, whether you grind your teeth, your diet and how well you clean around it. Smaller fillings in low-stress areas last longest. No filling is permanent; they are repairs to a tooth that has already been damaged, and they'll eventually need replacing. Regular check-ups let us spot a worn margin early and refresh it before decay gets underneath.

Not necessarily. A silver filling that is intact, sealed and causing no problems is generally best left alone — replacing it means removing more tooth structure. We recommend replacement when there are signs of leaking margins, recurrent decay, cracks in the filling or the surrounding tooth, sensitivity, or when you'd simply prefer a natural-looking result. Dr Frame will show you what he can see on your X-rays and photographs and give you an honest recommendation either way, with no pressure to change anything that's working.

Modern composites are dramatically stronger than the early materials that gave white fillings a reputation for wearing out, and they perform very well in the vast majority of situations. Their key advantage is that they bond to the tooth and support it, whereas amalgam relies on being mechanically wedged in place and can act like a wedge over time. For very large cavities where much of the tooth has been lost, we may recommend a ceramic onlay or crown instead — not because composite is weak, but because a cusp-covering restoration protects the tooth better.

The procedure itself should be painless — local anaesthetic makes the tooth completely numb, and we don't start until you confirm you're comfortable. Afterwards, numbness usually wears off within two to four hours, and it's normal to have mild sensitivity to cold or pressure for a few days, particularly with deeper fillings. That should steadily improve. If your bite feels high, or sensitivity worsens rather than settles, call us on (08) 6255 9005 — a quick bite adjustment usually resolves it.

Composite is fully set the moment we finish curing it, so you can eat as soon as you leave. The practical limit is the anaesthetic — while your lip, cheek or tongue is numb it's very easy to bite yourself without noticing, so we suggest waiting until full sensation returns before eating anything substantial, and being careful with hot drinks.

A great deal. We explain everything before we do it, agree on a stop signal, work at your pace and never rush you. Penthrox inhaled sedation offers fast-acting relief for nervous patients, and for more significant anxiety we can arrange twilight IV sedation with a visiting anaesthetist — something few practices in the Mount Lawley area offer. Many of our most anxious patients tell us the anticipation was far worse than the appointment. Just let us know when you book.