We're now open on Saturdays 09:00-13:00 (pre-booked appointments only)
Call us: 0115 647 9990
Mapperley Dental Studio · 870 Woodborough Road · 0115 647 9990
Repairing decay and damage
Removing decay, sealing the tooth, and restoring its shape so it works and looks as it should.
Both tooth-coloured composite and silver amalgam are available. Which is appropriate depends on where the cavity is, how large it is, and how much biting force the tooth takes.
White composite fillingsFrom £179
Fully private practice, no long waiting list
Early, late and weekend appointments available
Booked in advance, subject to availability
Membership plans from £14.10 a month
The straight answer
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay or fracture. The decayed tissue is removed, the cavity is cleaned and shaped, and a restorative material is placed to seal the tooth and rebuild its form. Tooth-coloured composite bonds to the tooth and matches its shade; silver amalgam is a hard-wearing alternative for larger cavities under heavy load.
Decay is caused by bacteria producing acid that dissolves the tooth. Once a cavity has formed it will not remineralise, and left alone it progresses towards the nerve, eventually causing pain, infection, or the loss of the tooth.
Composite is bonded in layers, each hardened with a curing light, which allows a smaller preparation because it holds to the tooth chemically. Amalgam is packed into a cavity shaped to retain it mechanically, and it hardens over the following hours.
A filling restores the tooth; it does not make it new. Every filling has a working life, and the larger the restoration relative to remaining tooth, the more likely a crown will eventually be needed instead.
Why patients come to us
Visible discolouration in a groove or between teeth often indicates decay that has broken through the enamel surface. It does not reverse on its own.
Practical outcome: the decay is removed and the tooth sealed before it reaches the nerve.
Fillings develop failing margins and can fracture, letting bacteria back underneath. Decay then progresses out of sight beneath the restoration.
Practical outcome: the old restoration and any decay beneath it are removed and the tooth is resealed.
A cavity between teeth, or a filling with a poor contact point, traps food and causes gum inflammation as well as further decay.
Practical outcome: the contact between the teeth is rebuilt so food no longer packs into the space.
What this treatment gives you, and the practicalities worth knowing before you book.
Suitability
Attend the examination and hygiene intervals your dentist recommends
Follow the home cleaning routine agreed with your dentist or hygienist
Tell us about medical conditions and medication, and about any changes
Your dentist will confirm whether this treatment is suitable after examining your teeth, gums, bite and wider oral health.
Step by step
The extent of the decay is assessed clinically and, where indicated, on X-ray, and the appropriate material is discussed with you.
The tooth and surrounding area are numbed where the cavity is deep enough to warrant it. Very small surface cavities are sometimes treated without.
Decayed tissue is removed and the cavity cleaned. Any old failing restoration is taken out at the same time.
Composite is bonded and built up in layers, each set with a curing light. Amalgam is packed into the prepared cavity and shaped.
The restoration is contoured and polished, and your bite is checked and adjusted so the tooth meets evenly.
Fillings are checked at your routine examinations. Tell the practice sooner if the tooth feels high or remains sensitive.
The first appointment is an examination and a discussion. No treatment is carried out without your agreement, and you leave with a written plan and costs.
Fees
Fees depend on what the examination finds, which is why the figures below are starting points rather than quotations.
One examination and one hygiene appointment a year, priority access and emergency support.
Two examinations and two hygiene appointments a year, priority access and emergency support.
Two examinations and four hygiene appointments a year, priority access and emergency support.
All three plans include priority appointment availability, a 10% discount on non-cosmetic treatment and eligibility for the Worldwide Dental Emergency Assistance Scheme.
Your personalised cost is confirmed in writing after your examination. The figures above are starting prices for guidance only. They are not a quotation and do not take account of your individual clinical needs. You will receive a written plan setting out the recommended treatment, sequence and cost. No treatment begins until you have agreed it.
Your dentist
Whether someone comes in for a check-up or a full cosmetic plan, the first appointment is the same: time to listen, a proper look, and a clear explanation of the options and what they cost. Everything else follows from that.
Dr Rupchhen Tamang, Principal Dentist
A general dental practitioner is not a specialist. The word "specialist" should not be used unless a clinician appears on the relevant GDC specialist list.
Comfort and aftercare
Local anaesthetic is used where the cavity is deep enough to warrant it. Numbing is usually described as a sharp scratch followed by pressure, after which the tooth should feel nothing sharp.
Agree a hand signal with your dentist before starting. If anything becomes uncomfortable, treatment stops and more anaesthetic can be given.
Numbness lasts two to four hours. Avoid hot drinks and chewing on that side until sensation returns, and take particular care with children, who may bite their lip or cheek without feeling it.
Sensitivity to cold for a few days is common after a deep filling and normally settles. Contact the practice if the tooth feels high when you bite, if pain increases rather than settles, or if sensitivity persists beyond two weeks.
Common questions
A straightforward single-surface filling usually takes around half an hour including numbing. Larger restorations involving several surfaces, or replacing an old failing filling with decay underneath, take longer. Most fillings are completed in one appointment, and your dentist will tell you what to expect when planning the work.
Modern composite performs well in most situations and bonds to the tooth, which usually means less healthy tooth needs removing. Amalgam remains very hard-wearing in large cavities under heavy biting forces, particularly on back teeth. Your dentist will explain which is more appropriate for the specific tooth.
Composite is shade-matched to the surrounding tooth and is generally not noticeable in normal conversation. Over several years the margins can pick up staining from tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco. Amalgam is silver and visible, which is why it is normally reserved for back teeth.
Removing decay close to the nerve leaves it temporarily irritated, and cold sensitivity for a few days to a couple of weeks is common. It normally settles. If it worsens, if the tooth becomes painful without a trigger, or if sensitivity is still present after two weeks, contact the practice so the tooth can be reassessed.
Yes, existing amalgam can be replaced with composite where the tooth is suitable. Bear in mind that replacing a sound, functioning filling removes more tooth structure in the process. Where the existing restoration is not failing, your dentist will explain the trade-off between appearance and conserving tooth.
There is no reliable single figure, because longevity depends on the size of the restoration, where it is in the mouth, your biting forces, your cleaning and your diet. What can be said is that no filling is permanent, and each one is checked at your routine examinations so that replacement is planned rather than urgent.
Still unsure about something? Call the practice on 0115 647 9990 and ask.
Finding us
| Monday | 9am to 5pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8am to 8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 8pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 5pm |
| Friday | 9am to 5pm |
| Saturday | Pre-booked appointments only |
| Sunday | Closed |
Patient feedback
Your first appointment is an assessment and a conversation. You leave with a written plan setting out what is recommended, in what order, and what it costs, and you decide what happens next.
