What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings fill gaps and cavities in your teeth created by decay. If your tooth has a cavity which is not treated it will trap food and get larger. The bigger the cavity the more the tooth becomes compromised and the greater chance the tooth will have of dying. A small cavity is easier to fill than a larger one - so early treatment is usually better than late.
Fillings can also repair damaged teeth if teeth are cracked or worn. At the Courtyard Dental Practice we mainly place white fillings to repair damaged teeth. We do offer different filling materials such as composite and glass ionomer. These are all tooth coloured and they’re matched to your teeth.
The Benefits of Fillings
Can prevent further pain and decay
Early treatment can prevent more damage and save teeth from extensive treatments
Restores tooth structure and strengthens teeth
How a Filling is Placed
1
Fillings are usually placed when the tooth is numb - so we use a topical gel on the gum before we numb the tooth.
2
The old filling or the decay will be removed and the cavity cleaned.
3
Water spray is used and high speed suction is placed in the mouth, as we need to keep the tooth cool.
4
The tooth will be etched and bonded.
5
The filling is placed and cured (set) in increments with the blue light.
6
The bite is checked and the filling is smoothed.
The Type of Fillings Available
The size of the filling will be dictated by the size of the cavity. Usually we can predict at the planning appointment how big it will be, but sometimes the cavity will be larger.
We mostly provide white fillings as they have a better aesthetic, and as they stick to teeth they can have a better marginal seal. Amalgam silver tooth fillings have been banned from 2030 as the mercury is toxic, so we don’t offer these.
Our Facial Aesthetics Practitioner
All facial aesthetics treatments are carried out by Dr Ailsa David, a medically accredited practitioner, ensuring safe, professional and high quality care tailored to you. Ailsa trained with Professor Brian Franks on his Medical Aesthetic Non-Surgical Interventions Training course in 2023. She holds certification for Botulinum Toxin Part 1 (for the upper face) and Dermal Fillers Parts I and II (for lower face and lip augmentation)
"I love carrying out facial aesthetics because small, carefully placed treatments can make a big difference to how someone feels about themselves. I really enjoy helping people feel more confident, refreshed, and like the best version of themselves.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Some teeth are sensitive after a filling is added and this can last a few weeks. It will depend on how deep (close to the nerve) the filling has gone. Your dental practitioner will tell you if the tooth is likely to be sensitive.
Will my tooth be sensitive after I’ve had a filling?
You can apply a sensitive toothpaste as a cream around the tooth and the filling last thing at night. This can help with sensitivity.
If your filling is particularly sensitive, please get in touch with our team.
What can I do if the filling is sensitive?
The cost depends on the size of the filling. Currently fillings at our dental practice range from £95- £220.
How much do fillings cost?
If looked after well, fillings can last more than 10 years. If they’re not cleaned well, or if a lot of sugar is eaten then they can fail within a year.
How long do dental fillings last?
Signs you may need a filling are:
Pain
Sensitivity
Seeing a brown or grey mark on the tooth
If teeth are becoming worn then a filling or bonding may be indicated then too. Contact our dental team today to discuss whether you need a filling.
What are the signs you need a dental filling?
Temporary fillings are usually a softer material placed into a cavity or gap to prevent the lips and tongue rubbing on a sharp surface or to stop food packing into a cavity. Dentists use temporary fillings to buy time if we cannot complete the definitive treatment at an emergency appointment.
What are temporary fillings?
After a filling we usually recommend avoiding food and drink until the local anaesthetic has worn off to prevent biting numb areas or burning yourself on hot liquids. The composite material is set as you leave the practice. So, the filling is strong, but we still recommend softer foods to allow you to get used to a different shaped tooth and an altered biting position.
What are the aftercare instructions for a tooth filling?
We recommend softer foods for 24 hours after a new filling to allow you to get used to a different shaped tooth and an altered biting position.
What to eat and avoid after getting a new dental filling?
Yes, fillings can be replaced. It is necessary to do this when fillings break or if decay gets underneath a filling.
Can dental fillings be replaced, and when is it necessary?
We do not offer amalgam restorations (metal fillings). We do offer white fillings, composite and glass ionomer fillings. We also offer temporary fillings. We can also offer onlays and inlays - these are restorations that are produced in a laboratory and are cemented into place.
Do you offer metal fillings?
Care for the whole family
"I contacted Courtyard Dental Practice after years of deliberating teeth straightening with various other dentists. I inquired about Invisalign, and everything was explained so clearly."
Sonia Jandu
"The dentist Ailsa and Emily the nurse were really supportive and the appointment went really well."
Claire Treanor
"I went there today with my 5 years old for a check up and filling. They been great! Dr Freedman and Emily have been so friendly, professional and quick! "
Raquel Garcia Haro
"Alexia & her team are fantastic! I’m definitely a nervous patient but they were so great, a visit doesn’t make me nervous at all."
Suzi Ovens
"I just want you to know how much I appreciate you as a dentist - my wife has been terrified of the dentist for years.... now look at her! "
"Very happy with how professional Ailsa & Vicki was. Treatment was explained to me and I was made very comfortable."
"'I never thought a trip to the dentist could be something I would look forward to . Thank you all so much!"
"Thank you so much for the treatment this morning, my teeth feel much more comfortable. My visit to your practice was so reassuring I feel much more positive, "
"Lovely welcoming helpful staff and festive practice (its december) Dentist very knowledgeable and explained my treatment plan to me in a way that I can understand.!"
"I contacted Courtyard Dental Practice after years of deliberating teeth straightening with various other dentists. I inquired about Invisalign, and everything was explained so clearly."
Sonia Jandu
"The dentist Ailsa and Emily the nurse were really supportive and the appointment went really well."
Claire Treanor
"I went there today with my 5 years old for a check up and filling. They been great! Dr Freedman and Emily have been so friendly, professional and quick! "
Raquel Garcia Haro
"Alexia & her team are fantastic! I’m definitely a nervous patient but they were so great, a visit doesn’t make me nervous at all."
Suzi Ovens
"I just want you to know how much I appreciate you as a dentist - my wife has been terrified of the dentist for years.... now look at her! "
'Very happy with how professional Ailsa & Vicki was. Treatment was explained to me and I was made very comfortable.'
"I never thought a trip to the dentist could be something I would look forward to . Thank you all so much!"
'I love coming to the dentist because the staff are so friendly, smiley & kind"
"Dentist very knowledgeable and explained my treatment plan to me in a way that I can understand."
"Thank you so much for the treatment this morning, my teeth feel much more comfortable."
