How long do white fillings last?

Well-placed composite fillings commonly last five to ten years or considerably longer, depending on their size, where they sit in the bite and how well the tooth is cleaned.

Can I have my silver fillings replaced with white ones?

In most cases yes. We will assess each tooth first — sometimes an amalgam filling is large enough that an onlay or crown gives a better long-term result than composite.

Will the treatment hurt?

Very few patients find it uncomfortable. We use local anaesthetic where the cavity is deep, and small surface repairs often need no numbing at all.

Will my white filling stain?

Modern composites resist staining well. Heavy coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can dull the surface over time, which we can usually re-polish at a routine visit.

How much do white fillings cost in Staplehurst?

The fee depends on the size of the cavity and the number of surfaces involved. We always give you a written quote before starting any treatment.

White Fillings in Staplehurst, Kent

White fillings repair decayed or damaged teeth with a tooth-coloured composite that bonds directly to your enamel — so the repair is strong, conservative and virtually invisible. It is the material we use as standard for patients across Staplehurst, Kent.

Matched to the exact shade of your tooth

Completely mercury-free

Bonds to the tooth, so less healthy enamel is removed

Sets hard immediately — eat and drink the same day

Can replace old, dark amalgam fillings

Repairs chips and worn edges as well as decay

What white fillings are

A white filling is made from dental composite — a blend of resin and fine glass particles that is layered into the prepared tooth and hardened with a curing light. Because it chemically bonds to enamel and dentine, we only need to remove the decay itself rather than cutting a retentive shape as older silver fillings required.

We build them up in thin increments and polish the surface so that the filling follows the natural contour of the tooth and reflects light in the same way.

Who white fillings suit

They are ideal for small to medium cavities, chipped front teeth, worn biting edges, gaps left by receding gums and for anyone in Staplehurst, Kent who would like existing amalgam fillings replaced for cosmetic reasons. Very large cavities, or teeth that have lost a cusp, are usually better restored with an inlay, onlay or crown — we will tell you honestly if that is the case.

Aftercare and longevity

Your filling is fully set before you leave, so there is no waiting period before eating. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal and settles. With good brushing, interdental cleaning and a moderate sugar intake, white fillings typically last many years; we check the margins at every examination and polish or repair rather than replace wherever possible.