If you were born before the 80s and have had some dental fillings done, chances are these were done using metal amalgam fillings and not white fillings.
Your amalgam filling may look like a silver part of your tooth, and when it gets older it may turn discoloured to a darker blackish hue. For a lot of people, it can make them very self-conscious. It may be visible when you laugh or yawn or perhaps your silver filling is deteriorating and causing some discomfort.
Dental amalgam fillings date back to the 1800s when a French dentist mixed a small amount of mercury with some melted silver coins to create a dental filling material.
It evolved from there and over time other metals (including lead – unbelievable right?) were incorporated to create a long-lasting, malleable material that was easy to place into teeth cavities. Dentists and inventors were determined to create a very long-lasting material that was easy to use and would pretty much last a lifetime. Amalgam fillings ticked a lot of those boxes.
Sounds awesome right? Except maybe not…
As we now know, mercury and lead are poisonous for the human body, and despite lots of evidence to support the safe use of modern amalgams, they are definitely no longer a preferred material for creating dental fillings. Plus, silver fillings are not very good looking things!
In our dental practice, we often see teeth that have been filled with silver metal fillings for 20-30 years… or even longer! The recurring pattern we see is that a lot of these teeth suffer from cracks and symptoms due to the old filling design and materials used.
You use your teeth every day for your entire life, and you chew up to 100 times a day when you eat. Like most mechanical systems, your teeth and mouth need a stress breaker. A metal filling that was designed to last a lifetime, wedged into your tooth (not chemically bonded) can be detrimental because all the stress is then placed on the surrounding tooth structure.
Eventually, the tooth structure, together with the filling, will break.
Here at Gisborne Family Dental, we rarely use metal amalgam materials for your dental fillings. Modern day fillings are made with tooth-coloured composite resin, which is medical grade plastic that is completely safe for your mouth.
Today’s white composite fillings adhere to your tooth structure to help provide strength. They also have a degree of flex that mimics your real tooth structure, and come in a variety of tooth coloured shades to restore the beauty of your natural tooth.
On top of all that, as you repeatedly use your teeth in daily life causing wear and tear, these white fillings do not place stress on your precious natural tooth structure, hence prolonging the lifespan of your teeth. This material has been tried and tested for the past few decades and continues to improve rapidly every day.
At Gisborne Family Dental, we only use highly advanced materials that are backed by years of scientific evidence to create the best outcome for you. Our Gisborne dentists are skilled in restoring your teeth in a predictable, comfortable, and safe manner, so that you can continue eating your favourite foods and show off your beautiful smile. Book your next appointment today!





























Are you noticing your teeth chipping or breaking more often these days? For teeth like these, reinforcing them with strong, well-designed dental crowns and bridges can help them last for many years to come.
Do you avoid chewing on certain teeth because they feel weak? Teeth with large fillings are often fragile. Over time, the filling material can wear down, or the remaining tooth can start cracking away.
Think of it like renovating a house. You can patch a crack, but if the structure is weak underneath, it needs real reinforcing. It’s the same with teeth. Large fillings are only a patch-up job. Dental crowns or dental bridges add strength and stability so you can keep enjoying your favourite foods without worry.
Ceramic crowns are specially designed to support your natural tooth structure and protect it for the long term. If you’re exploring options to repair or rebuild your teeth, we can talk you through a full range of restorative dentistry options to keep your mouth healthy for years to come.
See what our happy patients are saying on Google Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 363 reviews Amy Cavanagh05/06/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't express enough gratitude for the incredible support I've received from Gisborne Family Dental. Not only is the dental care fabulous, but the receptionist (Melissa) is consistently friendly, helpful, and goes above and beyond to assist. They truly bent over backwards to write supporting letters to help me apply for a special consideration for my two large university assignments that fell right when I had to have dental work completed. This level of empathy and dedication Dr Priscilla showed during a stressful period made me so grateful. Highly recommend them for their outstanding care and truly compassionate team! Wesley Fry04/06/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Jacob is amazing. You won't be disappointed. Holly Tomlinson28/05/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend this practise enough, especially Dr. Jack. I experienced a lot of anxiety regarding the dentist before being recommend to come here, however Dr. Jack is so thorough, gentle and informative, it always feels like I'm in good hands and now I don't experience that same anxiety before an appointment. Definitely the best dentist I've ever been to! Barbara Matthews19/05/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I have recently moved to Australia from the UK, to join our son and daughter in law. We needed to register with a dentist. My son made an appointment for us at the Gisborne Family Dentist. Dr Bethany carried out our first check ups. She was very friendly and welcoming but also very thorough and explained the treatment she thought would be needed. She used the X ray images to explain her diagnosis and was very clear and thorough in her explanation. She also gave both of us an estimate of cost which we found very helpful . We have now returned for our necessary appointments and again were very comfortable with Dr Bethany's treatment. Everyone at the surgery is very friendly and helpful including the reception staff. We're so pleased to have found Dr Bethany and this practice. Josef Hanna17/04/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best dental place ever!! Everyone is so friendly and warm, best thing is the TV on the roof 😎 dentists are gentle and non judgmental. Highly recommend 😊 Liv&G15/04/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such a great experience normally dread going to the dentist but Priscilla was lovely and made it very enjoyable highly recommend
Every mouth is different. Every tooth has its own story. Maybe you’ve had heavy fillings for decades. Or maybe you grind or clench your teeth, causing cracks even in untouched teeth.
At Gisborne Family Dental, we look at the big picture. We’ll examine your teeth carefully, talk with you about any risks, and help you decide what’s best. If a tooth has deeper damage, a root canal treatment might be needed before we fit a crown.
Dental crowns are proven to protect natural teeth, keep your bite strong and maintain your smile’s appearance over the long term. Compared to simple fillings, crowns are much more durable and help stop ongoing damage. If a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll explain your options like dental implants to restore your bite and your confidence.
Think of a crown as a smart tool in your long-term dental care plan. Imagine chewing a steak again without pain or worrying about breaking a weak tooth on a long weekend.
Old fillings can discolour over time, leaving teeth looking grey, brown or yellow. The bigger the filling, the more obvious it can be, and that can knock your confidence.
A ceramic crown does more than strengthen a tooth. It restores your tooth’s natural look too. Today’s dental ceramics are strong, natural-looking and come in shades to match your smile beautifully.
If you’re after purely cosmetic improvements to healthy teeth, dental veneers can be a great option for a brighter, more even smile.
A dental bridge does exactly what it says. It bridges a gap where a tooth is missing. In some cases, we can use a ceramic bridge to replace a missing tooth by placing crowns on the teeth next to the gap. This can be a “two birds, one stone” solution when neighbouring teeth also need strengthening because of old fillings or cracks.
We work with trusted dental labs right here in Melbourne to create custom-made crowns and bridges for our patients in Gisborne. These local technicians are skilled artisans, crafting high-quality restorations that look natural and last.
Choosing local means we get consistent quality, faster turnaround times and we support Australian businesses where we can.





























Missing teeth can affect more than just your appearance, they can change how you eat, speak and feel every day. At Gisborne Family Dental, we offer personalised dental implant solutions to help you regain your confidence with care that feels right for you.
Whether you’re missing one tooth or many, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process with clarity, comfort and trusted clinical expertise.
Dental implants are a permanent way to replace missing teeth, offering the look, feel and function of your natural smile. They’re fixed in place, so there’s no slipping, clicking or need to remove them for cleaning.
Implants don’t just restore your smile. They also help maintain jawbone health and facial structure by replacing the root of the missing tooth, something bridges or dentures can’t do alone.
With the right care, implants can last for many years and become a seamless part of your everyday life.
See what our happy patients are saying on Google Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 363 reviews Amy Cavanagh05/06/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't express enough gratitude for the incredible support I've received from Gisborne Family Dental. Not only is the dental care fabulous, but the receptionist (Melissa) is consistently friendly, helpful, and goes above and beyond to assist. They truly bent over backwards to write supporting letters to help me apply for a special consideration for my two large university assignments that fell right when I had to have dental work completed. This level of empathy and dedication Dr Priscilla showed during a stressful period made me so grateful. Highly recommend them for their outstanding care and truly compassionate team! Wesley Fry04/06/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Jacob is amazing. You won't be disappointed. Holly Tomlinson28/05/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend this practise enough, especially Dr. Jack. I experienced a lot of anxiety regarding the dentist before being recommend to come here, however Dr. Jack is so thorough, gentle and informative, it always feels like I'm in good hands and now I don't experience that same anxiety before an appointment. Definitely the best dentist I've ever been to! Barbara Matthews19/05/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I have recently moved to Australia from the UK, to join our son and daughter in law. We needed to register with a dentist. My son made an appointment for us at the Gisborne Family Dentist. Dr Bethany carried out our first check ups. She was very friendly and welcoming but also very thorough and explained the treatment she thought would be needed. She used the X ray images to explain her diagnosis and was very clear and thorough in her explanation. She also gave both of us an estimate of cost which we found very helpful . We have now returned for our necessary appointments and again were very comfortable with Dr Bethany's treatment. Everyone at the surgery is very friendly and helpful including the reception staff. We're so pleased to have found Dr Bethany and this practice. Josef Hanna17/04/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best dental place ever!! Everyone is so friendly and warm, best thing is the TV on the roof 😎 dentists are gentle and non judgmental. Highly recommend 😊 Liv&G15/04/2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such a great experience normally dread going to the dentist but Priscilla was lovely and made it very enjoyable highly recommend
If you’re considering dental implants, we’d love to help you take the next step.
Phone: (03) 8595 1888
Address: Shops 4–6, 10–20 Aitken St, Gisborne VIC 3437
Book Online
We’re proud to be one of Gisborne’s most trusted clinics, with over 300 five-star Google reviews from patients who value our gentle approach and personalised care.
A dental implant, sometimes called a tooth implant, is a small titanium or zirconia post placed into your jawbone where it acts as a replacement tooth root. Once the area has healed, we attach a custom-made crown, bridge or denture to complete your smile.
The result is a strong, natural-looking tooth replacement that blends beautifully with your existing teeth and restores full function.
There is a range of solutions depending on your needs:
Our team will talk through the best approach based on your health, goals and lifestyle.
We start with a detailed consultation to understand your oral health and treatment goals. This includes digital scans or X-rays to plan your care with accuracy.
Once your plan is in place, the implant is placed during a minor procedure — typically under local anaesthetic, or with sleep dentistry or happy gas if you prefer.
After healing, your final crown, bridge or denture is fitted to complete your restoration, giving you a long-lasting, natural-feeling smile.
We know dental implants are a long-term investment in your wellbeing. That’s why we offer tailored treatment planning and flexible payment plan options through Afterpay and ZipPay to help make your care more accessible.
You’ll receive clear information, no-pressure advice and ongoing support, so you can make confident decisions every step of the way.
Dental implants are easy to care for with regular brushing, flossing and check-ups. Just like natural teeth, they benefit from daily hygiene and professional maintenance.
Our team will guide you on how to keep your implant and surrounding gums healthy, helping you protect your smile for the long term.





























At Gisborne Family Dental, we prioritise comfort, clarity and high-quality results. You’ll be cared for by a team that:
If implants aren’t the right option for you, we’ll talk you through alternatives such as dental crowns and bridges.
In many cases, temporary options are available so you don’t have to go without teeth while healing.
The process is typically very manageable. We use local anaesthetics and relaxation techniques to help you feel at ease.
With good care, implants can last many years. We’ll provide personalised advice to help maintain your results.
Most adults with healthy gums and adequate bones are suitable candidates. We’ll assess your needs during your consultation.
Implants are fixed in place, feel more natural and help preserve your jawbone over time.
Yes. We offer flexible options including Afterpay and Zip to make your care more manageable.
At Gisborne Family Dental, we are committed to delivering quality, comprehensive dentistry with the utmost integrity, and respect for our patients.
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