White Fillings in Canning Vale

More than 90% of Australians experience decay in their permanent teeth at some point, making fillings one of the most common dental procedures around. At our Canning Vale, Thornlie and Southern River practice, we treat every cavity with white (composite) fillings — never amalgam.

It's a quick, minimally invasive procedure, usually done in around 30 minutes, that stops decay in its tracks before it can spread further into the tooth or cause nerve damage.

Why we only use white fillings

Traditional silver amalgam fillings have been used for over 150 years, but we've moved away from them entirely. Composite resin fillings are:

• Mercury-free
• Colour-matched to your natural teeth, so they're virtually invisible
• Less invasive to place, since they bond directly to the tooth rather than requiring the tooth to be shaped around the filling
• Gentler on your enamel through temperature changes — no metal expanding and contracting in the cold or heat

Because composite bonds well to existing tooth structure, we can often catch and treat developing decay early without removing much of the healthy tooth around it. It also means if you've got older metal fillings you're not happy with, we can usually replace them with white ones to freshen up your smile.

Signs you might have a cavity

Cavities don't always hurt — some are completely asymptomatic and only picked up on routine x-rays during a check-up. But if you notice any of the following, it's worth booking in:

• Sensitivity to hot, cold or sugary food and drink
• A rough patch you can feel with your tongue
• Visible discolouration, holes or dark spots
• A dark shadow around the edge of an older filling
• An ache around a tooth, or pain when you bite down

We take diagnostic x-rays on a semi-routine basis during preventative check-ups specifically to catch decay before it becomes symptomatic.

How a filling appointment works

• Your dentist confirms the cavity, usually at a check-up, before booking you in for the filling itself
• We numb the area with a local anaesthetic
• The decayed tissue is removed and the tooth is prepared for bonding
• The composite resin is placed, shaped and set with a curing light
• We polish it so it feels completely natural against your bite
• Most appointments take 20–30 minutes — easily done on a lunch break
• The site may feel a little tender the next day; we'll check on it at your next routine visit

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Getting the shade right

Our composite materials come in a range of shades, so we custom-match your filling to the exact colour of the surrounding tooth. If you're planning on whitening your teeth down the track and the filling will be visible, it's best to place a temporary filling, complete your whitening first, and then have the permanent, colour-matched restoration placed.

Avoiding cavities in the first place

Brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing daily, and cutting back on sugary food and drink go a long way — plaque feeds on sugar and erodes enamel over time.

Even with a solid routine, some people are more prone to decay due to genetics or other health factors, which is exactly why regular check-ups matter: we can catch developing decay before it needs treatment at all.