Fillings

Cavities can cause enormous damage to your oral health. Fortunately, teeth fillings are versatile, strong and reliable. They also protect against infection caused by plaque and tartar, which builds up in those hard-to-brush areas.

And there’s no need to be self-conscious, either: white fillings are indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Dental fillings are primarily used to fill cavities caused by decay. However, they can also repair damage caused by acid erosion, chipping, abrasion and attrition—wear and tear, in other words.

If you’re experiencing nagging toothache, pain during chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold, you may have a cavity. If so, your dentist will remove any parts of the tooth that are damaged, decayed or weakened. They will then shape, clean and dry the remaining tooth in preparation for filling.

The type of filling you need depends on the damage.

White fillings, sometimes called composite fillings, are closely matched to the colour of your teeth. They are extremely natural-looking, so they’re generally used for teeth that are visible when you smile, laugh or speak.
Amalgam fillings are the more traditional form, composed of a combination of metals. Hardy and resilient, they can last for decades.
Inlays and overlays are used for larger chewing surfaces, such as on your back teeth.

If your cavity is particularly deep, or if the centre of your tooth is damaged, you may instead require root canal treatment.

You can get your dental fillings on the NHS. This falls under Band 2 dental treatment, meaning it costs £75.30.

The procedure should be entirely painless, as anaesthetic will be used to numb the area and minimise discomfort. In fact, your filling should quickly alleviate any pain you were experiencing prior to your appointment.

If you look after your filling and follow your dentist’s advice, there’s no reason it shouldn’t last up to 10 years. Just remember that it may require some polishing during that time, though, because of stains from food and drink.

You can eat immediately after the procedure, because the filling will have already set and hardened.