White Fillings: Composite Restorations for Decay and Damage
A white filling is a tooth-coloured composite repair that bonds to the tooth. It suits a cavity that is not very large or close to the gum and can be kept dry; a weakened cusp may need covering. At Deepcar Dental Care a white filling appointment takes around 60 minutes; the realistic lifespan is 5 to 10 years, depending on the individual patient, their oral hygiene and their habits.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. He is a General Dental Practitioner, GDC 301711, and his registration can be checked on the General Dental Council's online register.
What is a white filling?
A white filling, also called a composite or tooth-coloured filling, is a repair made from resin composite, a material that bonds to the tooth. Because it bonds, a dental school patient guide explains, less tooth needs to be removed to hold it in place, and it is hard and durable enough for back teeth.
NHS guidance lists white fillings and amalgam as types of filling, and says a dentist will offer the most appropriate type for a patient's clinical needs. The two materials are compared in white fillings and amalgam compared, and the page on how composite bonds to enamel explains the adhesive chemistry.
When is a white filling the right answer?
A white filling usually suits a hole from decay or damage that is not very large and has strong tooth around it. NHS guidance says a cavity will probably need a filling, and lists a filling or a crown among the treatments for a chipped, broken or cracked tooth.
Not every early sign of decay needs drilling. NHS guidance says a dentist can prescribe fluoride treatments, such as mouthwash or varnish, to reverse early tooth decay. NHS guidance also says decay reaching the pulp may need root canal treatment.
What happens at a white filling appointment?
In general, the cavity is cleaned and shaped, and composite is bonded, set with a blue light and polished. A dental school patient guide and dental research describe the steps:
- The tooth may be numbed with local anaesthetic.
- A rubber dam, a protective rubber sheet, may be placed to keep the tooth dry, because moisture can affect how well the filling sticks.
- The decay is removed and the cavity is cleaned and shaped (cavity preparation).
- For a filling on the side of a back tooth, a thin matrix band shapes the filling where it meets the neighbouring tooth.
- A gel is applied to the cavity and washed off after a few seconds to prepare the tooth, and a thin bonding layer is applied.
- The composite is placed and set with a blue curing light, then shaped and polished.
White filling appointments at Deepcar Dental Care
A white filling appointment at Deepcar Dental Care takes around 60 minutes. Rubber dam is used routinely, and a caries detection dye is used to identify decay.
Does a white filling hurt?
The tooth may be numbed with local anaesthetic first, which a dental school patient guide says is to keep you comfortable. Numbness can last several hours, so avoid eating on that side and avoid hot drinks until feeling returns. The page on what is normal after a filling covers the days after treatment.
At Deepcar Dental Care, topical numbing gel is applied before every injection.
If you are anxious, sedation is available in house at Deepcar Dental Care, arranged on request, and fillings are among the treatments it can be used for. It is for adults aged 18 and over, suitability is checked at a separate pre-assessment appointment, you need an escort for the whole day, and you must not drive for 24 hours. Our page on sedation for nervous patients explains how it works.
How large can a white filling be?
A white filling suits a cavity that is not very large. A dental school patient guide lists these situations where a composite filling may not be appropriate:
- The cavity is very large.
- The cavity extends near or under the gum.
- The tooth cannot be kept dry.
A weakened or missing cusp, one of the raised points of a back tooth, may need a restoration covering it, built up in the mouth or made outside it. An analysis pooling 12 studies (Opdam and colleagues, 2014) found failure more likely in back-tooth white fillings covering more surfaces and in people at high risk of decay.
Composite also shrinks slightly as it sets, known as polymerisation shrinkage. Laboratory research links the resulting stress to gaps at a filling's edges and to cracks, with more stress from larger volumes. A 2016 review (Ferracane and Hilton) found no direct proof that this shortens a filling's life, but concluded from the laboratory evidence that the stress is clinically relevant.
Questions about this treatment? Book online or call the practice.
How long do white fillings last?
At Deepcar Dental Care, a white filling has a realistic lifespan of 5 to 10 years. Outcomes depend on the individual patient, their oral hygiene and their habits.
At Deepcar Dental Care, 12 months of aftercare cover applies to fillings, crowns and bridges, dentures, and porcelain veneers. It gives free repair, free replacement or remake, and free adjustments. The cover does not apply where damage results from accidental trauma or infection, and for dentures, gum recession is also excluded.
A review of 34 studies of back-tooth white fillings (Demarco and colleagues, 2012) found new decay and fracture were the main long-term reasons for failure, and the material itself had only a minor effect on lifespan compared with factors such as the tooth, the dentist and the patient. A dental school patient guide notes that white fillings can also roughen, discolour or chip over time.
When might an onlay be considered instead of a large filling?
An onlay may be considered when one or more cusps are weakened or missing and need covering. A 2016 Dental Update review (MacInnes and Hall) says cusp-covering restorations, whether built in the mouth or made outside it, help protect a weakened tooth against biting forces and are a minimally invasive alternative to a conventional crown.
For composite, the evidence has not shown that a restoration made outside the mouth outlasts one built in it. A five-year trial in upper premolars missing a cusp (Fennis and colleagues, 2014) found similar survival for both, and a 2016 systematic review of composite inlays and onlays (Angeletaki and colleagues) found too little evidence to favour either technique.
Inlays and onlays at Deepcar Dental Care
Composite and ceramic inlays and onlays are offered at Deepcar Dental Care. The page on inlays and onlays for larger cavities explains them, and where a tooth may need full coverage, the page on choosing between a crown and a filling sets out how the two differ.
How much does a white filling cost?
The current Deepcar Dental Care fee list shows a White Composite Filling line at £150 to £220. The fee list describes all its prices as "from" prices based on individual clinical needs. The page about treatment costs explains how restorative fees are built and what changes a fee.
When should you speak to your dentist about a filling?
Speak to your dentist about signs of decay or a problem with a tooth or filling. The NHS actions are:
- Signs of tooth decay, such as sharp pain with hot, cold or sweet food and drink, or white, brown or black spots on a tooth: NHS guidance says to see a dentist as soon as possible.
- A chipped, cracked or broken tooth: see a dentist, and keep any broken piece in milk or saliva to take with you. If you have no dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111.
- Sensitivity after a new white filling that lasts more than 2 weeks: a dental school patient guide advises discussing it with the dental professional who placed the filling.
- Toothache, which NHS guidance says a loose or broken filling can cause: see a dentist if it lasts more than 2 days, is not eased by painkillers, or comes with a high temperature, pain when biting, red gums, a bad taste or a swollen cheek or jaw. If you have no dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111.
Go to A&E or call 999 if the area around your eye or neck is swollen, or swelling in your mouth or neck makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak. Do not drive to A&E: ask someone to take you or call 999.
What other restorative treatments are there?
White fillings are one of several ways of repairing and rebuilding damaged teeth, keeping natural teeth working wherever possible. Other restorations, from inlays and onlays to crowns, bridges and dentures, are set out among the options in this section.
Frequently asked questions
Can an old amalgam filling be replaced with a white filling?
Yes, replacing old amalgam fillings with white fillings is one of the services at Deepcar Dental Care. In general, if a cusp is weakened or missing, the repair may need to cover it: an onlay, a crown or composite built over the cusp.
Can a white filling be repaired instead of replaced?
Research suggests it can. A 2012 review of 34 studies of back-tooth white fillings (Demarco and colleagues) found that repair can be a viable alternative to replacement and can significantly extend a filling's life. Whether a particular filling can be repaired or needs replacing is a clinical decision made at an examination.
Are white fillings available on the NHS?
NHS guidance says white fillings are available on the NHS when clinically necessary. For a back tooth, it says a silver-coloured (amalgam) filling may be a more effective option, and a dentist can advise on private costs for a white filling. In England, NHS Band 2 can include fillings; the NHS website listed it at £76.60 in October 2026.
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You can contact Deepcar Dental Care online or by phone. The practice is at 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH, open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday, with free parking directly outside. Patient feedback is on the practice's reviews page.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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