Natural-looking fillings that blend with your teeth
When decay or a chip needs repairing, we use tooth-coloured composite resin matched to the shade of your natural tooth. The result is a filling you can't see. It bonds directly to the tooth, which means less healthy tooth has to be removed than with older silver amalgam fillings.
What to expect
Numb and prepare
The area is numbed, decay is removed and the tooth is shaped to hold the filling.
Layer and set
The composite is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a curing light, then sculpted to match your bite.
Polish
The filling is polished smooth so it feels natural and resists staining. Most fillings take 30 to 60 minutes.
When a filling isn't enough
If a large part of the tooth is missing or cracked, a filling may not hold. In those cases we'll discuss a ceramic inlay, onlay or crown, made in-house with our CAD/CAM technology. If decay has reached the nerve, root canal treatment may be needed first.
Signs you may need a filling
- Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold that lingers
- A dark spot or hole you can see or feel with your tongue
- Food catching between two teeth
- A rough or sharp edge where a piece has broken away
- Pain when biting on one tooth
Early decay often has no symptoms at all, which is why check-ups with X-rays matter. A filling on a small cavity is quick and simple. Left alone, the same tooth may need a crown or root canal.
Composite, ceramic or amalgam?
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | Most fillings, front and back teeth, repairing chips | Tooth coloured, bonds to the tooth, placed in one visit. |
| Ceramic inlay or onlay | Larger cavities in back teeth | Made in-house with CAD/CAM. Stronger and more wear resistant than composite for big restorations. |
| Amalgam (silver) | Rarely used now | Durable but visible and requires more tooth removal. We don't place new amalgam fillings. |
Looking after your fillings
Composite fillings can be eaten on as soon as the numbness wears off. Avoid very hard foods on a new filling for a day. Some cold sensitivity for a week or two is normal and settles. If your bite feels high, or you get sharp pain when chewing, call us for a quick adjustment. Regular check-ups let us spot wear or leakage early, and good home care keeps decay from starting again at the edges.