Smile Dental Clinic, Great Yarmouth
Composite fillings
Composite fillings repair decay, cracks and small chips using tooth-coloured material that is matched to the shade of your teeth, so the repair blends in.
At our clinic in Hopton, Great Yarmouth, we only use tooth-coloured composite for fillings. They can be used on front and back teeth and are usually completed in a single visit.
Why choose a composite filling?
- Shade-matched to your natural teeth
- Suitable for small to medium-sized fillings
- Mercury-free
- Often needs less removal of natural tooth than metal fillings
- Usually completed in one visit
- Can often be repaired or added to rather than replaced
What is a composite filling?
Composite is a mix of resin and fine ceramic particles. Your dentist removes the decayed or damaged part of the tooth and builds the composite up in layers, hardening each one with a special light.
Composite bonds to the tooth and doesn't corrode. It can have a shorter lifespan than a metal (amalgam) filling, and how long it lasts depends on its size, your bite and how you care for your teeth.
Step by step
The composite filling procedure
These steps are a guide. Your own plan may differ, and your dentist will explain everything before you decide.
- 1
Assessment
Your dentist checks the tooth and explains the treatment and cost.
- 2
Preparation
The area is numbed and the decayed part of the tooth is removed.
- 3
Cleaning
The tooth is cleaned so no debris or bacteria remain.
- 4
Placement
Composite is built up in layers, each hardened with a curing light.
- 5
Shaping
The filling is shaped to match your tooth and your bite is checked.
- 6
Polish
The filling is polished to a smooth finish.
Aftercare and prevention
- Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks straight after treatment if your tooth feels sensitive
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth
- Avoid biting on very hard foods or objects with the filled tooth
- Keep up regular check-ups so we can monitor your fillings
Get in touch
Ask us about composite (white) fillings
Send us a quick message and our reception team will get back to you. Prefer to talk? Call 01493 543144.
Related treatments
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Dental crowns
Custom-made caps that protect and strengthen a damaged, heavily filled or root-treated tooth.
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Toothache
What toothache can mean, when to get help and how we can treat the cause.
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Ready to book your visit?
Book online at a time that suits you, or call our friendly reception team. New private patients are welcome.
Opening hours
- Monday09:00 – 17:00
- Wednesday09:00 – 18:00
- Thursday09:00 – 18:30
- Tue, Fri, Sat, SunClosed
Smile, Warren Road, Hopton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth NR31 9BN