Fillings
Where teeth have decayed or chipped, placing a filling is often a brilliant option to restore your tooth. During your examination with the dentist, teeth requiring fillings will be identified and your options of filling material discussed, depending on your dentist’s prognosis, the location of the tooth, and your individual circumstances.
Amalgam
Amalgam (or silver) fillings are most often used on the molars as they are much stronger and therefore more able to withstand the strong biting pressures.
Composite
This tooth-coloured filling is often opted for when fillings are required in your front teeth due to its increased aesthetics.
Glass Ionomer
A “GI”, tooth-coloured filling will usually be chosen over other materials in circumstances which require its adhesive properties, easy application, and scenarios where its fluoride excreting characteristic will be effective.
Check our prices to compare the private cost of these fillings. All of the above fillings are available under the NHS as a band 2 treatment, though the material is determined by the NHS. If you would like to opt for a different material you may be required to pay privately. Please ask your dentist at your appointment to discuss your options further as an NHS patient, or contact us.
What does placing a filling consist of?
Your dentist will remove all decay present in the cavity of the tooth with a special handpiece before placing the filling material, sealing your tooth.
The material will be sculpted to suit your bite and remove any ledges, and with a final polish your filling is complete!
Some filling materials will use an ultraviolet light to speed up the curing process of your filling, though for other fillings it might be best to avoid eating for 30 - 60 minutes afterwards to ensure your filling has completed setting.
How long will it take to place a filling?
You will only require a single appointment to have your filling placed, though several might need to be booked if you are requiring multiple fillings.
In some cases the decay may be more extensive than anticipated, in which case a Root Canal filling will be needed, which may require an additional appointment.