- 020 8656 6959
- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · General dentistry
White (tooth-coloured) fillings repair teeth damaged by decay, wear or small chips while blending in with the rest of your smile. Private white fillings at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road start from £95, and NHS fillings are available under Band 2.
Decay starts in the outer enamel and, if it is not treated, spreads into the softer dentine underneath and eventually towards the nerve. Very early decay can sometimes be reversed with fluoride and better cleaning, and your dentist may suggest monitoring it. Once a cavity has formed, a filling removes the decay and seals the tooth.
Often spotted at a check-up or on X-rays before you feel anything. Treating it early usually means a smaller filling.
Small chips, worn edges and notches at the gum line can be rebuilt with tooth-coloured material.
Old fillings can crack, wear or let decay creep in around the edges and need replacing.
A sensitive area can sometimes be covered with a small filling, although other causes are checked first.
Most white fillings are made from composite resin, a mixture of plastic and fine glass-like particles that bonds to the tooth. Because it sticks to the tooth, less healthy tooth usually needs to be removed than for a traditional metal (amalgam) filling. The shade can be matched to your teeth. For some small areas, particularly near the gum line or in children’s teeth, a glass ionomer material may be used, which releases fluoride.
On the NHS, the filling material is chosen on clinical grounds. Tooth-coloured fillings are routinely used on front teeth; for back teeth, the material available on the NHS depends on clinical need, and your dentist will explain the choices. Private white fillings are available for any tooth where suitable.
A single filling usually takes around 20 to 60 minutes, depending on its size and position. Your filling is set before you leave, but if you have had an anaesthetic avoid hot drinks and chewing until the numbness wears off, usually after a few hours.
White fillings are a reliable everyday treatment, but they have limits. Placing them is technique-sensitive and can take a little longer than a metal filling. They can wear, chip or stain over time, especially in people who grind their teeth or drink a lot of tea, coffee or red wine. Some people notice sensitivity to cold or biting for a few days or weeks after a deeper filling; this usually settles.
If decay is very close to the nerve, the tooth may become inflamed later and need root canal treatment. If a tooth has lost a lot of its structure, a filling may not be strong enough, and your dentist may suggest a crown instead. For chipped front teeth, composite bonding uses the same material to improve shape as well as repair.
Replacing metal fillings. If an amalgam filling is intact and the tooth is healthy, there is usually no clinical need to replace it, and removing it takes away some extra tooth. Some people choose to replace them for appearance; we are happy to discuss this.
The edges of a filling are where new decay most often starts, so good daily care matters. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, spit rather than rinse afterwards, clean between your teeth every day and limit how often you have sugary food and drinks. Regular check-ups and hygiene visits help catch problems early, and for children our children’s dentist team can advise on prevention.
Call us on 020 8656 6959 if your bite feels high after the numbness wears off, sensitivity is getting worse rather than better, the tooth becomes painful, or a filling feels rough, chips or falls out. For sudden pain, book an emergency appointment (£65).
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Private white filling | From £95 |
| NHS fillings (Band 2 course of treatment) | £76.60 |
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
| Emergency appointment | £65 |
Private filling prices depend on the size and position of the filling, and your dentist confirms the cost before treatment. The NHS Band 2 charge covers all fillings needed in that course of treatment, however many. NHS availability varies, so call to check NHS availability. Read more about our general dentistry.
Spreading the cost: for selected private treatments you can apply for finance through Tabeo, including 0% interest for up to 12 months. Finance is subject to status, and we will explain the options before you commit. See our full price list for other treatments.
Finding decay early, when fillings are smaller.
Reshaping and repairing front teeth with tooth-coloured material.
For teeth too damaged for a filling.
When decay has reached the nerve.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
Private white fillings start from £95, depending on size and position. For eligible NHS patients, fillings are part of a Band 2 course of treatment, currently £76.60, which covers all the fillings needed in that course.
Tooth-coloured fillings are routinely used on front teeth on the NHS. For back teeth the material depends on clinical need. Your dentist will explain the NHS and private options for your tooth.
Most fillings are done with local anaesthetic so the tooth is numb. You may feel pressure and vibration. Some sensitivity afterwards is common and usually settles.
The filling is set before you leave. If you have had an anaesthetic, wait until the numbness wears off before eating or having hot drinks, so you do not bite your cheek or burn yourself.
It depends on the size of the filling, your bite and how well the area is cleaned. Many last for years, but all fillings eventually wear and may need replacing.
If they are intact and the tooth is healthy, there is usually no clinical need. Replacing them removes some extra tooth. If you want to replace them for appearance, we can discuss the pros and cons.
Book a check-up or an appointment for a tooth that needs repairing, with costs explained before we start. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
