Your options
White (composite) fillings match the colour of your tooth and are bonded to it. Metal (amalgam) fillings are hard-wearing and have been used for generations. For a large cavity, a white resin or porcelain inlay, made to fit, can be stronger than a big filling.
Which is right depends on the tooth, the size of the repair and your preference. NHS rules on materials differ by tooth and by patient, so we'll always tell you if any part is private, and what it costs, first.
Nervous about fillings?
We'll numb the tooth before we start and check it's numb before we go on. If injections worry you, say so: numbing gel can be used first. For patients who find treatment very hard, inhalation or IV sedation is available here at Bearsden after an assessment.
What happens
Numbing
A local anaesthetic numbs the tooth. We check it has worked before starting.
Removing decay
The damaged part of the tooth is cleaned away.
Filling
The tooth is filled and shaped so your bite feels normal.
Afterwards
The numbness wears off over a few hours. Take care with hot drinks until it does.
NHS or private?
Fillings are available on the NHS. Some materials or tooth positions may be private: we'll tell you before we start. Your dentist will always explain the options and give you a written estimate before treatment starts. How NHS charges and private fees work.
Questions people ask
Can I have a white filling on the NHS?
It depends on which tooth and on the NHS rules that apply to you. Your dentist will tell you what's available on the NHS and what would be private before any work starts.
Should I replace my old metal fillings?
Not if they're sound. We only suggest replacing a filling when it's broken, leaking or has decay underneath.
