White Fillings in Leeds
A white filling repairs a decayed, chipped or worn tooth with a tooth-coloured composite that is bonded directly to the tooth. It is the everyday treatment that stops a small problem becoming a root canal or an extraction. Twilight Dental places white fillings at our clinic in Woodhouse, Leeds, with evening appointments seven days a week.
Key points
- One visit, usually 30 to 45 minutes for a straightforward filling.
- Local anaesthetic where needed — shallow fillings often need none.
- Bonded to the tooth, so less healthy tooth has to be removed than with old-style amalgam.
- Matched to your tooth shade, front or back.
- Priced by the number of surfaces involved — see our price list.
- Emergency fillings available 24 hours a day if a tooth has broken or a filling has fallen out.
When a filling is needed
- Decay found on examination or on an X-ray, often before you feel anything
- Sensitivity to sweet things or cold that lingers
- A visible hole, a rough edge or food packing into a tooth
- A chipped edge on a front tooth
- An old filling that has leaked, cracked or stained at the margins
- Worn notches at the gum line causing sensitivity
What happens
- Diagnosis. Examination and, where appropriate, an X-ray — decay between teeth is invisible to the naked eye.
- Anaesthetic if the cavity is deep or close to the nerve.
- Removing the decay and cleaning the cavity.
- Bonding and layering. The composite is placed in increments and set with a curing light.
- Shaping and polishing, then checking your bite so nothing feels high.
When a filling is not enough
A tooth with very little structure left will keep breaking around a large filling. In that situation an onlay or a crown holds the tooth together far more reliably. Where decay has reached the nerve, root canal treatment is needed before the tooth is restored. We will tell you when a filling would simply be delaying the inevitable rather than dressing it up as a cheap fix.
Making fillings last
- Clean between your teeth daily — most new decay starts where the brush cannot reach.
- Keep sugar to mealtimes; frequency matters more than quantity.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and do not rinse after brushing.
- Attend regular check-ups so new decay is caught while it is still small.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind, which fatigues fillings and the tooth around them.
White fillings — your questions answered
Do white fillings last as long as amalgam?
Modern composites perform very well and, because they bond to the tooth, less healthy structure has to be removed. Longevity depends far more on the size of the filling and how well the mouth is cleaned than on the material.
Can I replace my old silver fillings with white ones?
Yes, where there is a clinical reason such as leakage, decay or a crack. Replacing sound amalgam purely for appearance means removing more tooth, and we will discuss that trade-off honestly.
Will the filling hurt afterwards?
Some sensitivity to cold for a week or two is common, especially after a deep filling. Pain that lingers or wakes you at night should be checked.
How much do fillings cost?
Fees depend on how many surfaces of the tooth are involved and are published on our price list. You will be quoted before treatment starts.
My filling has fallen out. Is that an emergency?
It should be seen within a few days. See our page on a lost filling or crown, or call 0113 819 7865.
Can I eat straight afterwards?
Composite is fully set before you leave, so yes — though wait until any anaesthetic has worn off so you do not bite your lip or cheek.
Book a check-up before a small problem gets expensive
A £24 consultation includes examination, any X-rays needed and a clear plan. Evening appointments seven days a week.
