Signs of a cavity
- A twinge with sweet, hot or cold food
- A dark spot or a hole you can feel
- Food that keeps catching in one place
- A rough edge on a tooth
Early decay often causes no pain. Your dentist can find it during a check-up.
What happens during a filling
- Numbing Your dentist numbs the area if the cavity needs it.
- Removing decay Your dentist cleans out the damaged part of the tooth.
- Filling the space The filling material goes in and your dentist shapes it to your bite.
- Checking your bite You bite on thin paper so your dentist can adjust any high spots.
Choosing a material
Your dentist will explain which materials suit the tooth. The size and position of the cavity both matter.
Ask if you would like a tooth-coloured option on a visible tooth.
When a filling is not enough
If decay has reached the nerve, you may need a root canal. Waiting makes this more likely.
Looking after your filling
Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth. Sugary drinks and snacks between meals raise your risk of new decay around the edges.
Tell us if a filling feels loose or your floss starts to shred on it.
Composite or GIC?
We use two kinds of tooth-coloured filling.
Composite is a resin that bonds to the tooth. It suits most cavities and can match your shade closely.
GIC, or glass ionomer, releases a little fluoride over time. Dentists often use it for children’s teeth and small cavities near the gum.
Your dentist chooses based on the size and position of the cavity.
Fillings for children
Baby teeth decay faster than adult teeth because their enamel is thinner. A small filling can stop a cavity turning into a toothache.
Our dentists treat children as part of our general dentistry service.
When a crown is better
A large filling can weaken what is left of the tooth. If a tooth is badly broken, your dentist may suggest a crown to protect it.
Old fillings
Fillings wear and can crack over the years. Your dentist checks them at your routine visits.
A filling only needs replacing when it is failing, leaking or has new decay around it.
Chipped front teeth
A small chip on a front tooth can often be repaired with tooth-coloured material. Your dentist shapes and polishes it to match the teeth beside it.
Keep any broken piece in a little milk and bring it with you.