Dental fillings on the Gold Coast
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay, a crack or wear. We use tooth-coloured material matched to your tooth, and most fillings are done in one visit.
Or call
(07) 5526 0111Open Monday to Friday
Signs a tooth may need a filling
- Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweet food in one tooth
- A tooth that hurts when you bite
- A hole, dark spot or rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- Food catching between two teeth where it didn't before
- A filling that has chipped, cracked or fallen out
Early decay often has no signs at all, which is why it's usually found at a check-up.
How a filling is done
Numbing the tooth
We numb the area with local anaesthetic. A very small filling may not need it.
Removing the decay
We remove the decayed or damaged part of the tooth and clean the space.
Building it back up
Tooth-coloured composite resin goes in in thin layers, and each layer is set hard with a blue curing light.
Shaping and checking your bite
We shape and polish the filling, then check your bite so it feels right when you close.
Good to know
How long does it take?
Most fillings take 30 to 60 minutes. Larger fillings, or several in one visit, take longer.
What about my old silver fillings?
Amalgam (silver) fillings that are intact and not causing problems don't need replacing. If one is cracked or has decay underneath, we'll talk about replacing it.
Eating afterwards
Composite fillings are set hard before you leave, so you can eat once the numbness wears off. Wait until then so you don't bite your cheek or tongue.
Some sensitivity is normal
A filled tooth can be sensitive to cold or pressure for a few days, and sometimes longer after a deep filling.
Things that can happen
- If decay was deep, the nerve inside the tooth can become inflamed after a filling. Sometimes this settles; sometimes the tooth then needs root canal treatment.
- Fillings wear and can chip or crack over time, and decay can start again around the edges. Check-ups help catch this early.
After your filling
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating or having hot drinks.
- Brush and floss as normal, including around the filling.
- Expect some sensitivity to cold for a few days.
Call us if
- The tooth hurts when you bite, which can mean the filling is a little high
- Sensitivity is getting worse rather than better
- The filling feels rough, sharp or cracked
After hours, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, or 000 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
What it costs
- 521[Fee]
Filling, front tooth, one surface
Adhesive restoration, one surface, anterior tooth, direct
- 522[Fee]
Filling, front tooth, two surfaces
Adhesive restoration, two surfaces, anterior tooth, direct
- 531[Fee]
Filling, back tooth, one surface
Adhesive restoration, one surface, posterior tooth, direct
- 532[Fee]
Filling, back tooth, two surfaces
Adhesive restoration, two surfaces, posterior tooth, direct
- 533[Fee]
Filling, back tooth, three surfaces
Adhesive restoration, three surfaces, posterior tooth, direct
- 572[Fee]
Temporary filling
Provisional (intermediate/temporary) restoration, per tooth
Fees last reviewed [Fee review date]
A filling's fee depends on how many surfaces of the tooth it covers and whether it's a front or back tooth. We'll tell you the item and fee before we start.
We accept all private health funds and claim on the spot with HICAPS.
We bulk bill eligible children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, so there's no out-of-pocket cost for covered services. Eligible children can receive up to $1,158 in benefits for basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years (2026 and 2027).
All fees and health fundsQuestions about fillings
Does getting a filling hurt?
The tooth is numbed first, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Tell us straight away if you feel anything sharp and we'll stop.
How long do fillings last?
It depends on the size of the filling, the material, the tooth and how you look after your teeth. Large fillings, and back teeth that take heavy chewing forces, tend to need repairs sooner. Check-ups let us see wear early.
Can a filling be done at my check-up?
If there's time and you'd like to go ahead, we can sometimes do a small filling at the same visit. Otherwise we'll book you back.
Will my health fund cover a filling?
With general dental (extras) cover, your fund usually pays part of the cost. Give your fund the item number from your quote to check what you'll get back, and claim on the spot with HICAPS.
Are children's fillings bulk billed?
Yes, for children eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Fillings are a covered service.
Why does my tooth hurt after a filling?
Mild sensitivity for a few days is common. Pain when you bite often means the filling needs a small adjustment, which is quick to fix. If pain keeps building or wakes you at night, call us, as the nerve may be inflamed.
Further reading
Clinical content reviewed by [Clinical reviewer and registration number] on [Review date].
Fillings at The Dental Studio
Who provides it here
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Referred elsewhere
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Or call
(07) 5526 0111Open Monday to Friday
After hours, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, or 000 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.