Dental Fillings
Even with good brushing and flossing, tooth decay can still happen. Left alone, a cavity doesn’t heal itself, it grows. A filling is the standard, effective way to stop that early and keep the rest of the tooth intact.
Fillings are one of the most common treatments in general dentistry, for adults and children alike, and a routine part of preventive dental care.
What happens during a filling?
If a cavity is suspected, an X-ray confirms it. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, then the decayed part of the tooth is removed and the area cleaned. Thin layers of tooth-coloured resin are built up inside the cavity and set with a curing light in seconds. You’re in and out in a single visit.
Why treat a cavity early?
Decay doesn’t stop on its own, it spreads deeper into the tooth. Once it reaches the nerve, you’ll feel sensitivity or real pain, and if it’s left too long the infection can spread into the root, which usually means root canal treatment or, in the worst case, losing the tooth. Catching it early keeps treatment simple.
Why we use tooth-coloured fillings
We use composite, tooth-coloured fillings rather than amalgam. They blend with your natural tooth, typically need less removal of healthy tooth structure to place, and don’t carry the dark, metallic appearance amalgam does. Amalgam use has also been increasingly restricted across the UK and EU on environmental grounds linked to its mercury content, and modern composite materials are a well-established, effective alternative.
Book a Consultation
Think you might have a cavity? Book an appointment and we’ll check it, explain what’s needed, and treat it before it becomes anything more complicated.