The process
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General dentistry · Composite
Fillings you will not notice
A white filling repairs a decayed, chipped or worn tooth with composite, a tooth-coloured resin that is bonded to the tooth and shaped to match it. Most are completed in one visit under local anaesthetic. We place them under magnification with the tooth isolated by rubber dam, which keeps the bond clean and dry. Guide fees start from £399 for a small filling.
Guide fee
From £399
Visits
Usually one
Material
Tooth-coloured composite
Placed
Under magnification, with rubber dam
Who it is for
When a white filling is the right repair
A new cavity
Decay caught early needs only a small filling. Composite bonds to the tooth, so we remove the decay and little else, and keep as much healthy tooth as possible.
A chipped or worn tooth
Small chips and worn edges can be rebuilt in composite and matched to the tooth. On front teeth this overlaps with composite bonding, and we will advise which applies.
An old filling that has failed
Fillings wear, crack and leak at the edges over time. When an examination or X-ray shows a gap or decay beneath one, it is replaced before the problem deepens.
A metal filling you would like changed
We replace amalgam fillings only where there is a clinical reason or an agreed cosmetic one. If an old filling is sound and doing its job, we will tell you so.
The difference
What changes the result
A dry, isolated tooth
Composite only bonds well to a clean, dry surface. We isolate the tooth with rubber dam, a thin sheet that keeps saliva away from the tooth and debris out of your mouth.
Magnification
We work under magnification, so the edge of the decay and the margin of the filling are seen clearly. Small gaps at the margin are where fillings tend to fail first.
Built in layers
The composite is placed in thin layers, each set with a curing light. Layering reduces stress in the material as it sets and lets us rebuild the natural contours of the tooth.
Shade and shape
We choose the shade against your own tooth at the start, before it dries and lightens. The grooves are then carved and the surface polished, so the filling blends in.
01
Numb and isolate
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic and we wait for it to take full effect. Rubber dam is then placed to keep the tooth clean and dry.
02
Remove the decay
Decay and any failed filling are removed carefully, leaving healthy tooth in place. The cavity is then cleaned and the surface of the tooth is prepared for bonding.
03
Bond and layer
A bonding agent is applied, then composite is added in layers and light-cured. The contact with the neighbouring tooth is shaped so floss and interdental brushes pass as they should.
04
Shape, check and polish
We check your bite, adjust any high spots and polish the filling until it blends with the tooth. The filling is fully set before you leave the chair.
Afterwards
Aftercare
Wait until the numbness has gone before eating, so you do not bite your lip or cheek. Some sensitivity to cold or to biting is common for a few days and usually settles. If the filling feels high when you bite, call us and we will adjust it. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth and keep up regular health checks.
Guide fees
Small composite fillingfrom £399
Medium composite fillingfrom £449
Large composite fillingfrom £499
Signature tooth-coloured fillingfrom £595
Guide fees. You receive a written plan with exact costs before treatment starts. See all fees
Common questions
Questions, answered
How long do white fillings last?+
In most cases, many years, with good home care and regular check-ups. Lifespan depends on the size and position of the filling, your bite and your diet. Small fillings generally outlast large ones.
How much does a white filling cost?+
Guide fees are from £399 for a small composite filling, from £449 for medium and from £499 for large. Signature tooth-coloured fillings are from £595. You receive the exact fee in writing before treatment starts.
Does having a filling hurt?+
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so you should feel vibration and pressure but not pain. Some sensitivity afterwards is common and usually settles within a few days. Very small fillings sometimes need no anaesthetic at all.
How long does a filling appointment take?+
Most white fillings are completed in a single visit. The time needed depends on the size and position of the filling, and we tell you how long to allow when you book.
Should I have my amalgam fillings replaced?+
Only if there is a reason to. We replace amalgam fillings when they are cracked, leaking or have decay beneath them, or when you would prefer a tooth-coloured result and we have agreed it is sensible. A sound filling can usually be left alone.
When is a tooth too broken down for a filling?+
When a filling would take up most of the tooth, the remaining walls flex and can fracture. A ceramic onlay or crown covers the tooth and holds it together instead. With CEREC on site, this can usually be made and fitted the same day.
Do white fillings stain?+
Composite can pick up some surface stain over the years, particularly from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Polishing at a hygienist visit usually refreshes it. Composite does not lighten with tooth whitening, so whiten first if you plan to do both.