Dental damage is something most Australians will experience at some point in their lives. A cavity discovered at a routine check-up. A tooth cracked by biting down on something hard. A missing tooth that’s been affecting your confidence and chewing ability for longer than you’d like to admit. A heavily filled tooth that’s finally given way after years of wear.
When damage occurs, whether from decay, trauma, wear, or age, the question shifts quickly from whether to restore the tooth to how. And the answer to that question depends on a range of clinical factors that aren’t always obvious to patients sitting in the chair for the first time.
At Art De Dente Melbourne CBD, we believe that informed patients make better decisions about their own dental health. Understanding what crowns, bridges, and fillings actually are, how they differ, what they’re made from, and when each one is genuinely the right clinical choice, rather than just accepting whatever is recommended without context, puts you in a far stronger position to participate meaningfully in your own treatment planning.
This guide gives you exactly that understanding. No jargon. No unnecessary complexity. Just a clear, honest guide to the most common dental restorations available in Melbourne today.
What Is a Dental Restoration?
A dental restoration is any material or device used to restore the function, integrity, structure, and, where relevant, the appearance of a damaged, decayed, or missing tooth. Restorations range from a simple filling placed in under an hour, to a full crown that requires two appointments, to a bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth.
The goal of any restoration is the same: to return the affected tooth or area to a state where it functions properly, doesn’t cause pain or further damage, and, ideally, looks natural and indistinguishable from the surrounding dentition.
Choosing the right restoration for a given clinical situation requires assessing multiple factors: the extent of damage or decay, the remaining tooth’s structural integrity, its position in the mouth, the patient’s bite forces, aesthetic priorities, budget, and long-term durability requirements. This is why two patients presenting with seemingly similar problems may receive different restorative recommendations.
Fillings: The Foundation of Restorative Dentistry
What Is a Filling?
A dental filling is the most common and straightforward restorative procedure in dentistry. It involves removing decayed or damaged tooth structure, cleaning the prepared cavity, and filling the resulting space with a restorative material that bonds to the tooth and restores its shape and function.
Fillings are typically completed in a single appointment and represent the first-line response to tooth decay, provided the decay is detected early enough that sufficient healthy tooth structure remains to support the filling.
Types of Filling Materials
Composite Resin (Tooth-Coloured Fillings)
Composite resin is the most widely used filling material in modern Australian dentistry, and the material of choice at Art De Dente for the overwhelming majority of filling cases. Made from a mixture of glass and plastic particles, composite resin is:
- Matched to the exact shade of your natural tooth, it is invisible in the final result
- Bonded directly to the tooth structure, which strengthens the remaining tooth rather than just filling the space
- More conservative in preparation, less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed compared to amalgam
- Completed in a single appointment
- Suitable for both front and back teeth
Amalgam (Silver Fillings)
Amalgam is a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Once the standard of care for posterior (back) tooth fillings, amalgam has been largely superseded by composite resin in most Australian practices due to aesthetic concerns, the conservative preparation requirements of composite, and evolving patient preferences. Existing amalgam fillings in good condition do not need to be replaced unless they fail.
Glass Ionomer Cement
Glass ionomer is used in specific clinical situations, particularly in areas of the mouth not subject to heavy bite forces, in patients at high decay risk (as it slowly releases fluoride), and in paediatric dentistry. It is tooth-coloured but less durable and less aesthetically refined than composite resin.
Ceramic (Porcelain) Inlays and Onlays
When decay or damage is too extensive for a conventional filling but not severe enough to require a full crown, a ceramic inlay or onlay can be fabricated. These are custom-made restorations manufactured in a dental laboratory (or increasingly, using chairside CAD/CAM technology) and cemented into the tooth. They offer exceptional aesthetics and durability for mid-range damage situations.
When Is a Filling the Right Choice?
A filling is appropriate when:
- Decay is present but confined to a portion of the tooth, leaving sufficient healthy structure to support the restoration
- A small chip or minor fracture has occurred without compromising the structural integrity of the tooth
- An existing filling has failed, cracked, or developed secondary decay around its margins
- The tooth has sufficient remaining structure to support a bonded restoration without risk of fracture under normal bite forces
The critical limiting factor for fillings is the extent of damage. As decay or fracture progressively involves more of the tooth, particularly when it approaches or involves the cusps (the pointed biting surfaces of back teeth), the clinical evidence strongly supports moving from a filling to a crown. A large filling in a heavily compromised tooth is at significantly increased risk of fracture, and a tooth that fractures at the gum line may be unrestorable.
Crowns: Full Coverage Restoration for Compromised Teeth
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, sometimes called a cap, is a custom-fabricated restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gum line. Unlike a filling, which fills a cavity within the tooth, a crown encases the tooth completely, providing full structural protection and restoring the tooth to its original shape, size, and function.
Crowns are fabricated in a dental laboratory from impressions or digital scans taken at the first appointment, and cemented permanently onto the prepared tooth at a second appointment, typically two to three weeks later. At Art De Dente, advanced digital scanning technology enables highly accurate crown fabrication with exceptional fit.
Materials Used for Crowns
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
A traditional crown type featuring a metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer. Durable and functional, but the metal margin can sometimes become visible at the gum line over time, and the underlying metal affects light transmission in a way that can make PFM crowns look slightly different from natural teeth under certain lighting conditions.
Full Ceramic (Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate)
Full ceramic crowns, particularly zirconia and lithium disilicate (e.g., IPS e.max), have become the modern standard for aesthetic crown restorations. They offer:
- Exceptional aesthetics, light transmits through the ceramic similarly to natural enamel
- No metal margin concerns
- High strength, particularly zirconia, which is exceptionally fracture-resistant
- Biocompatibility, no metal allergy concerns
- Indistinguishable from natural teeth in most clinical situations
Full Metal (Gold Alloy)
Gold alloy crowns are rarely placed for aesthetic reasons, but remain the most durable crown material available. For patients who grind heavily, have very limited space between upper and lower teeth, or require a restoration on a back tooth where aesthetics are not a concern, gold remains a clinically excellent choice with an extraordinary track record.
When Is a Crown the Right Choice?
A crown is clinically indicated when:
- The tooth is heavily broken down: Decay or fracture has destroyed a significant portion of the tooth structure, leaving insufficient sound tooth to support a filling
- After root canal treatment: A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment is significantly more brittle and prone to fracture. Crowning a root canal-treated molar is standard clinical practice and dramatically reduces the risk of tooth loss
- A large existing filling has failed: A tooth that has been filled multiple times and has progressively less natural structure remaining is a strong crown candidate
- A cusp has fractured: When one or more of the tooth’s cusps breaks away, a crown protects the remaining structure and restores full function
- Severe wear: Patients with bruxism (tooth grinding) may wear their teeth to the point where crowns are required to restore lost height and protect remaining structure
- Cosmetic rehabilitation: Where a tooth is badly discoloured, misshapen, or structurally compromised in a visible position, and a veneer is not sufficient
The Crown Preparation Process
At your first crown appointment at Art De Dente:
- The tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic
- Any decay is removed, and the tooth is shaped to create space for the crown
- Digital impressions or physical impressions are taken
- A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated
- At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, the permanent crown is fitted, checked for bite accuracy, and cemented
Bridges: Replacing Missing Teeth Without Implants
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial replacement teeth (called pontics) to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Those anchor teeth, called abutment teeth, are prepared and crowned, with the pontic suspended between them.
The result is a fixed, non-removable restoration that looks, feels, and functions much like natural teeth. Unlike dentures, a bridge is cemented permanently in place and does not require removal for cleaning.
Types of Bridges
Traditional Dental Bridge
The most common type. Two crowns are placed on the abutment teeth on either side of the gap, with the pontic spanning between them. Fabricated from the same materials as crowns, most commonly full ceramic for anterior (front) teeth, porcelain-fused-to-metal or zirconia for posterior (back) teeth.
Cantilever Bridge
Used when there is only one natural tooth adjacent to the gap. The pontic is anchored to a single abutment tooth rather than two. Less common due to increased force concentration on a single anchor tooth, but it is appropriate in specific clinical situations.
Maryland Bridge (Resin-Bonded Bridge)
A more conservative option where the pontic is held in place by metal or ceramic wings bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth, without the need to prepare those teeth into full crowns. Best suited for front teeth with light bite forces. Not as durable as a traditional bridge, but preserves more natural tooth structure.
When Is a Bridge the Right Choice?
A dental bridge is appropriate when:
- One or more teeth are missing, and the adjacent teeth are already heavily restored or crowned
- A dental implant is not suitable due to insufficient bone volume, medical contraindications, or patient preference
- A fixed (non-removable) solution is preferred over a partial denture
- The patient wants a faster resolution than the implant timeline allows
- Budget considerations make implant treatment impractical in the short term
Bridge vs. Dental Implant: An Important Distinction
It’s worth addressing this directly because the decision between a bridge and a dental implant for a missing tooth is one of the most common choices patients face in restorative dentistry.
A dental implant replaces the missing tooth root and the visible crown. It is a standalone restoration that does not involve the adjacent teeth at all. Implants preserve jawbone volume, do not require preparing adjacent teeth, and have the best long-term prognosis of any tooth replacement option when placed in suitable candidates.
A bridge is a fixed solution that does require preparing the adjacent abutment teeth, even if those teeth are otherwise healthy. Once prepared for a bridge, those teeth will always require crowns.
For patients with healthy adjacent teeth, a dental implant is generally the preferred long-term recommendation when clinically feasible. For patients whose adjacent teeth are already crowned or heavily restored, a bridge often makes more clinical sense; those teeth already have crowns, making the bridge a logical extension of existing restorations.
At Art De Dente Melbourne CBD, we discuss both options transparently at consultation so you understand the clinical rationale behind any recommendation before treatment begins.
How These Restorations Compare: A Clinical Summary
|
Restoration |
Best For | Appointments | Durability | Replaces Missing Teeth |
|
Composite Filling |
Small to moderate decay or chips | 1 | 7-10 years average |
No |
|
Ceramic Inlay/Onlay |
Moderate damage, insufficient structure for filling | 2 | 10-15+ years | No |
|
Crown |
Heavily damaged, post-RCT, broken cusps | 2 | 15-25+ years |
No |
| Bridge | Missing tooth/teeth with suitable abutments | 2-3 | 10-15+ years |
Yes |
| Dental Implant | Missing tooth, sufficient bone, no contraindications | Multiple over months | 20-25+ years |
Yes |
The Role of Prevention: Why Early Detection Changes Everything
The single most important thing this guide can convey is that the earlier dental damage is identified and treated, the simpler, less invasive, and less expensive the restoration required.
A small cavity detected at a routine check-up requires a simple filling; one appointment, straightforward treatment, minimal tooth structure removed. Left undetected or untreated, that same cavity progresses into the pulp of the tooth, requiring root canal treatment, a post and core, and a crown; multiple appointments, significantly more cost, and a tooth that will always be more vulnerable than it was before.
The clinical hierarchy is always the same: filling → inlay/onlay → crown → implant or bridge. Every step up that hierarchy represents more tooth structure lost, more clinical complexity, more time, and more cost. Regular examinations at Art De Dente Melbourne CBD are what intercept problems at the earliest, most conservative point on that hierarchy.
Book Your Appointment Today
Restore your teeth. Restore your confidence. Start with an honest conversation.
Art De Dente is a preferred provider for Medibank, Bupa, and HCF. Our multilingual team speaks Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, French, and several Indian languages. Every patient is welcome here.
Call us at (03) 9125 6201, or visit our clinic at Level 17, 190 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do fillings last?
Composite resin fillings typically last 7 to 10 years on average, though many last considerably longer with good oral hygiene and regular maintenance. Factors including bite forces, location in the mouth, oral hygiene quality, and the size of the filling all affect longevity. Your dentist will monitor the condition of existing fillings at every check-up.
Q: Does getting a crown hurt?
The preparation appointment is performed under local anaesthesia. You should feel pressure and movement, but no pain. Some sensitivity in the days following preparation is normal and generally resolves. The final cementation appointment is typically straightforward. If you experience anxiety about dental procedures, please discuss this with our team at Art De Dente. We have options to make your experience more comfortable.
Q: Can I have a tooth-coloured filling on my back teeth?
Yes. Modern composite resin materials are strong enough for use on posterior (back) teeth in most clinical situations. At Art De Dente, tooth-coloured composite restorations are placed on both front and back teeth as standard practice.
Q: How do I clean under a dental bridge?
Cleaning under a bridge requires a specific technique, as a toothbrush cannot reach beneath the pontic. Floss threaders, superfloss, or a water flosser are the most effective tools for cleaning under the bridge and around the abutment crowns. Our team will demonstrate the correct technique during bridge placement.
Q: Will my crown or filling be covered by health insurance?
Many private health insurance policies with major dental cover include benefits for fillings, crowns, and bridges, though the exact benefit varies significantly between funds and policies. We recommend checking your specific entitlements with your insurer before treatment. Art De Dente is a preferred provider for Medibank, Bupa, and HCF.
Q: My old silver fillings don’t bother me. Should I replace them?
Not necessarily. Existing amalgam fillings in good condition with no decay around their margins, no cracks, and no signs of failure generally do not need to be replaced. Elective replacement for aesthetic reasons is a patient choice rather than a clinical necessity. If an amalgam filling is failing, cracked, or has secondary decay, replacement with composite resin at that point makes clinical sense.
Q: How do I know if I need a crown or just a filling?
This requires clinical assessment; there is no reliable way to self-diagnose it based on symptoms alone. A tooth that is painful under bite pressure, has a visible crack, has lost a significant portion of its structure to decay, or has a failing large filling is likely a crown candidate. A thorough examination, including X-rays, will give your dentist the information needed to make this determination accurately.
Book Your Restorative Dental Consultation at Art De Dente
Whether you have a known cavity, a broken tooth, a missing tooth you’ve been putting off addressing, or simply want to understand the condition of your existing restorations, a thorough examination at Art De Dente Melbourne CBD gives you the complete, honest picture.
Our restorative approach combines clinical precision with advanced imaging and digital technology to ensure every restoration we place is as accurate, durable, and natural-looking as possible.
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