A cavity left untreated will continue to grow — eventually threatening the health of the whole tooth. A dental filling stops decay in its tracks and restores your tooth to full function and strength.
At Macleod Dental, we use tooth-coloured composite resin fillings as our standard of care. Unlike older silver amalgam fillings, composite resin is matched precisely to the shade of your natural tooth, making it virtually invisible once placed.
Composite fillings also bond directly to the tooth structure, which means we can preserve more of your healthy enamel during preparation — a more conservative and long-lasting result for you.
Composite resin is shade-matched to your exact tooth colour so nobody can tell you’ve had a filling.
Composite resin contains no mercury, making it a safe and biocompatible choice for your whole family.
Composite bonds directly to your tooth, so we remove less healthy enamel compared to older amalgam fillings.
Modern composite materials are durable enough to withstand everyday chewing and can last 10–15 years with good care.
Step 1
We assess the tooth with a clinical examination and digital X-rays to confirm the extent of decay and whether a filling is the right treatment.
Step 2
We apply local anaesthetic and wait until you are fully comfortable before beginning any treatment.
Step 3
We carefully remove all decayed tissue from the tooth, leaving only healthy enamel and dentine behind.
Step 4
We select the composite shade that most closely matches your natural tooth colour before placing the filling.
Step 5
The composite resin is applied in layers and hardened with a curing light to bond securely to your tooth structure.
Step 6
We shape and polish the filling so it blends naturally with your tooth and feels comfortable when you bite and chew.
We take the time to do fillings properly — comfortable, precise, and built to last.
We work carefully to ensure every filling is placed with precision, comfort, and a natural result.
We explain what we find and walk you through your options before any treatment begins — no surprises.
We welcome patients of all ages from Macleod, Rosanna, Watsonia, Bundoora, and surrounding suburbs.
We use local anaesthetic to thoroughly numb the area before we begin, so you should feel little to no discomfort during the procedure. You may experience some mild sensitivity in the days following your appointment — this is completely normal and typically settles on its own within a few days. If you are nervous about dental treatment, please let us know and we will take extra care to make you feel comfortable throughout.
Composite fillings typically last between 7 and 15 years, depending on the size and location of the filling, your bite, and how well you care for your teeth at home. Fillings on back teeth that bear more chewing pressure may wear sooner than those on front teeth. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor your fillings and address any wear or chipping before it becomes a larger problem.
Composite fillings harden immediately under the curing light, so you can eat as soon as the local anaesthetic wears off — usually within an hour or two. We recommend avoiding very hard, sticky, or crunchy foods for the first 24 hours to give the filling time to fully settle. After that, you can eat and drink normally with no restrictions.
Yes — many patients choose to have their old silver amalgam fillings replaced with tooth-coloured composite for a more natural appearance. We will assess the current condition of your existing fillings and discuss whether replacement is clinically appropriate for you. In some cases, if the old filling is still intact and functioning well, it may be best to leave it until it needs replacing naturally.
Regular check-ups catch cavities early — before they need a filling at all.
When decay reaches the nerve, root canal treatment can relieve pain and save the tooth.
For heavily broken-down teeth, a crown provides full coverage, strength, and lasting protection.
Cavities don’t get smaller on their own. The sooner we treat it, the simpler the procedure — and the better the outcome. Book your appointment at Macleod Dental today.
