Dental Tooth Fillings London - Dr Deepa at Whites Dental

Dental Tooth Fillings For Tooth Decay Treatment

Restore tooth decay with a tooth filling - book an appointment with our dentist.

Dental Fillings In London

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Whites Dental Waterloo

Example Icon 0208 616 0590

Example Icon 172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER

Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)

Example Icon 0203 576 2325

Example Icon 52B Kendal St, St George's Fields, London W2 2BP

Why Have A Tooth Filling?

Treat tooth decay

Dental Filling - Whites Dental In London

Dental tooth fillings are commonly used to treat tooth decay.

Restore decayed teeth – fillings repair cavities caused by tooth decay, stopping the spread of bacteria and preventing further structural damage. They restore the tooth’s function so you can chew comfortably again.

Prevent future problems – tooth fillings stop bacteria from spreading and causing infections or abscesses. Early treatment with a filling can prevent more complex procedures later, like root canals or crowns.

Restore appearance – tooth-coloured filling materials can be matched to the surrounding tooth, helping repaired areas blend more naturally with the rest of the smile.

At Whites Dental, we have some of London’s most experienced dentists provide tooth fillings to our patients to treat tooth decay. Dr Deepa has 20+ years of clinical experience with all types of tooth fillings. Book an appointment with her for a dental filling. We have two private dentist clinics in London –

Waterloo SE1 dentist clinic near London Bridge – the clinic is located in Waterloo on Blackfriars Road, 10-15 mins by foot from London Bridge, London Eye, Southwark, Elephant And Castle and the City Of London.

W2 dentist clinic near Paddington – located in the heart of the West End, our practice is walking distance from Paddington station, Maida Vale, Bayswater, Notting Hill, Edgware Road and Marylebone.

Tooth Decay Treatment - Types Of Tooth Fillings

White Tooth Fillings

White Tooth Filling

White tooth fillings use tooth-coloured composite resin selected to blend with the surrounding tooth. The material is placed directly into the prepared cavity and shaped before being hardened. They are commonly used where a natural-looking result is preferred, although suitability depends on the size and position of the cavity. Learn more about composite white fillings.

Porcelain Tooth Fillings

Porcelain Tooth Filling

Porcelain tooth fillings are also called onlays and inlays; they are typically produced to order in a dental laboratory and then cemented to the patients tooth. Porcelain tooth fillings can be matched exactly to the colour of the patients tooth and are highly resistant to staining. A porcelain tooth fillings typically covers most of the surface of the tooth and their cost is similar to that of gold tooth fillings.

Gold Tooth Fillings

Gold Tooth Fillings

Gold tooth fillings are fillings that are made to order in a dental lab and then cemented into place on the patients tooth. Gold inlays are tolerated well by gum tissues, and can last as long as 20 years. As a result, many dental organisations consider gold tooth fillings as the best filling material. However, gold tooth fillings are typically the most expensive option and require multiple visits to the dentist.

Amalgam Tooth Fillings

Amalgam Tooth Fillings

Amalgam or silver tooth fillings are more resistant to wear and tear as compared to composite tooth fillings and are also relatively inexpensive. However, they are dark in colour and are therefore more noticeable than composite tooth fillings. Amalgam tooth fillings are therefore not typically used in visible areas of the patients smile line, such as on the front tooth.

What Happens During A Dental Filling Procedure?

How a dentist treats tooth decay with a filling

Examination & Assessment

The dentist examines the affected tooth to identify the extent of decay and determine whether a filling is the most suitable treatment. X-rays may be taken if necessary to assess damage that is not visible during the examination.

Removing Tooth Decay

The affected area of the tooth is carefully cleaned by the dentist to remove decay and prepare the tooth cavity for future restoration. Local anaesthetic can be administered to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Placing The Dental Filling

The dentist places the chosen filling material into the prepared cavity, using composite resin for white fillings or another suitable material where appropriate. Composite fillings are hardened with a special curing light and shaped to restore the tooth’s natural contours.

Shaping & Final Adjustments

The filling is polished and adjusted to ensure your bite feels comfortable and the restored tooth functions correctly. Your dentist checks the finished restoration and provides aftercare advice to help maintain the filling and protect your tooth.

Dental Tooth Fillings Costs

Our dental tooth fillings in London cost between £180-£280 typically. They are very competitively priced. See our fee table below for details.

 

Dental Examination

£65

White Fillings

from £160

Porcelain tooth fillings

from £525

Gold tooth fillings

from £650

Dental Filling Cost

What Are Dental Fillings?

Restorative treatment for tooth decay

Dental fillings are a common restorative treatment used to repair cavities caused by tooth decay. The procedure involves removing the damaged portion of the tooth and filling the area with a durable material that restores the tooth’s shape and strength. Modern dental fillings are designed to blend naturally with the surrounding tooth structure while providing long-lasting protection against further decay.

Dental fillings can help restore the natural shape of the tooth, prevent decay from spreading further, improve chewing function, reduce tooth sensitivity and strengthen weakened teeth. Most cavities can be treated quickly with dental fillings when detected early.

Signs You May Need A Dental Filling

Tooth decay often develops gradually, and symptoms may not appear until the cavity becomes more advanced. Recognising the early signs can help you seek treatment before the damage worsens.

Common signs that may indicate a cavity include:

✔️ Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods

✔️ Pain when eating sweets

✔️ Visible holes or dark spots in teeth

✔️ Sharp pain when biting down

✔️ Persistent toothache

If you notice any of these symptoms, a dental examination can determine whether a filling is required.

Benefits Of Early Tooth Decay Treatment

Treating tooth decay early helps protect the structure of your teeth and prevents more complicated dental problems.

Benefits of early cavity treatment include:

✔️ Preventing further tooth damage

✔️ Avoiding dental infections

✔️ Reducing the need for root canal treatment

✔️ Preserving natural tooth structure

✔️ Maintaining comfortable chewing

Regular dental examinations are the most effective way to detect cavities early.

White Fillings Vs Silver Fillings: Which Is Better?

White fillings and silver fillings are both used to repair teeth damaged by decay, but they differ in appearance, materials and how they interact with the tooth. White composite fillings are popular for their natural appearance, while silver amalgam fillings are known for their durability and are often used on back teeth.

Which Type Of Filling Should You Choose?

White fillings are often the preferred choice for patients who want a discreet restoration that blends with their natural teeth. Composite resin bonds to the tooth structure and can be a suitable option for both front and back teeth, depending on the size and position of the cavity.

Silver fillings can withstand substantial chewing forces, making amalgam a durable option in certain situations. However, their metallic appearance makes them more noticeable, and amalgam use is subject to UK restrictions, including restrictions on use in children under 15 and pregnant or breastfeeding women, except when strictly necessary for specific medical needs.

Are White Fillings Better Than Silver Fillings?

For many patients, white fillings offer the best balance of appearance and function, particularly when restoring visible teeth. The most suitable material depends on the extent of tooth decay, the pressure placed on the tooth and your dental needs, so your dentist can recommend the right option following an examination.

White Fillings Vs Silver Fillings: Comparison

Feature White Fillings Silver Fillings
Material Composite resin Amalgam metal alloy
Appearance Matches the natural tooth colour Visible silver-grey colour
Best For Front and back teeth where aesthetics matter Selected back teeth requiring a durable filling
Durability Durable, but may chip or wear over time Generally hard-wearing under chewing forces
Tooth Preparation Often preserves more healthy tooth structure May require more specific cavity preparation
Mercury Content Contains no mercury Contains mercury within the amalgam alloy
Aesthetic Appeal Natural-looking and discreet Noticeable when smiling or speaking

Are Dental Fillings Painful?

Is Getting A Dental Filling Painful?

Most dental fillings are carried out comfortably using local anaesthetic, which numbs the affected tooth and surrounding area during treatment. You may feel some pressure or vibration while the dentist removes decay, but the procedure should not cause significant pain.

Do Dental Fillings Hurt After Treatment?

It is normal to experience mild sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure for a few days after having a filling. This usually settles on its own, although persistent or worsening discomfort should be checked by your dentist.

Can You Get A Dental Filling Without Pain?

Modern dental techniques and local anaesthesia help make filling procedures straightforward and comfortable for most patients. If you feel anxious about treatment or have sensitive teeth, let your dentist know so they can take steps to help you feel at ease.

How Can You Reduce Discomfort After A Filling?

Avoid very hot or cold foods if your tooth feels sensitive, and choose softer foods if chewing feels uncomfortable initially. If pain persists, your bite feels uneven or sensitivity becomes more severe, arrange a dental review to check whether the filling needs adjustment or further treatment.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

How Long Do White Fillings Last?

White composite fillings typically last around 5–10 years, although some can remain in good condition for longer with proper care. Their lifespan depends on the size of the filling, its position in the mouth and the amount of pressure placed on the tooth when chewing.

How Long Do Silver Fillings Last?

Silver amalgam fillings can last around 10–15 years or longer, making them a durable option for restoring teeth affected by decay. However, they can eventually wear down, crack or develop gaps around their edges, requiring replacement.

What Affects The Lifespan Of Dental Fillings?

Poor oral hygiene, frequent sugary foods and drinks, teeth grinding and biting hard objects can increase the risk of filling damage or further decay. Regular dental check-ups help identify early signs of wear, allowing your dentist to recommend repairs or replacement when necessary.

When Should You Replace A Dental Filling?

A filling may need replacing if it becomes cracked, loose, worn down or develops decay around its edges. If you experience persistent toothache, sensitivity or discomfort when biting, book a dental examination to determine whether your filling needs attention.

Can You Replace Old Silver Fillings With White Composite Fillings?

Replacing Silver Fillings With White Fillings

Yes, old silver amalgam fillings can often be replaced with white composite fillings to create a more natural-looking smile. Composite resin is matched to the shade of your teeth, making the restoration far less noticeable when you speak or smile.

When Should Silver Fillings Be Replaced?

Silver fillings may need replacing if they become cracked, worn, loose or develop decay around their edges. If your existing fillings are healthy and functioning properly, replacement may not be necessary, so your dentist should assess their condition before recommending treatment.

How Are Silver Fillings Replaced With Composite?

Your dentist carefully removes the existing filling and any damaged tooth tissue before preparing the area for the new composite restoration. The white filling is then bonded to the tooth, shaped to restore its natural contours and hardened using a special curing light.

Benefits Of Replacing Silver Fillings With White Composite

White composite fillings offer a discreet alternative to silver amalgam while often allowing more healthy tooth structure to be preserved during preparation. They can also help restore the appearance of teeth with visible fillings, although suitability depends on the size of the cavity, the tooth’s condition and the forces placed on it when chewing.

Preventing Tooth Decay In Future After A Filling

Although dental fillings effectively treat cavities, prevention is always the best approach to maintaining healthy teeth. Simple daily habits can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay. Key preventive measures include:

✔️ Brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

✔️ Flossing daily to remove plaque between teeth

✔️ Limiting sugary foods and drinks

✔️ Drinking water after meals

✔️ Visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups

Preventive dental care helps keep your teeth strong and cavity-free.

Dental Fillings For Tooth Decay Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions

What is tooth decay?

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What causes tooth decay?

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What are early signs of tooth decay?

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Can tooth decay be reversed?

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How is tooth decay treated?

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Which type of tooth filling will be best for me?

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What does the dentist do during a tooth filling procedure?

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How will I know that I need a tooth filling?

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How long does a dental filling take?

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Can I eat after getting having a tooth filling?

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What is the difference between white And silver fillings?

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Can a dental filling fall out?

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Do dental fillings need to be replaced?

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Can you have a filling instead of a crown?

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Can you replace old silver fillings with white fillings?

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How can I make my dental fillings last longer?

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Finding Us In London

Waterloo SE1

Whites Dental London Waterloo Blackfriars Rd | Whites Dental

Whites Dental Waterloo
172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER
020 8616 0590

Marble Arch W2

London Marble Arch | Whites Dental

Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)
52B Kendal St, St George’s Fields, London W2 2BP
020 3576 2325

Whites Dental
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Privacy Overview

Whites Dental (“we”, “us” or “our”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

The practice respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy sets out how we will do this, taking into account data protection laws as well as our professional guidelines and requirements.

The data controller is Whites Dental; the Information Governance Lead is Deepa Chopra.

This Privacy Policy is available on the practice website at www.whitesdental.co.uk/privacy-policy, by email if you contact [email protected] or by calling the practice on 0204 527 3210.

This policy (together with our Cookies Policy) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. It does not include data where the identity has been removed (i.e. anonymous data).

Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.

You will be asked to provide personal information when joining the practice. The purpose of us processing this data is to provide optimum health care to you by, for example, recommending the most relevant treatment and ensuring your safety by taking your medical history.

The categories of data we process

  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of corresponding with you, for example, regarding your appointments and treatment.
  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of direct mail/email/text/marketing.
  • Special category data concerning health (including health records, medical history, medication, your doctor’s name and address, warning cards or bracelets, alcohol and drug use) for the purposes of the delivery of safe health care.
  • Treatment data (such as photos, moulds, X-rays, clinical findings) for the purposes of providing you with the best treatment.
  • Financial data (such as credit card details, bank account information, credit history, employment status) for the purposes of processing your payment for treatment(s).
  • Usage data (such as information about how you use our website, products and services) for the purposes of improving the way we provide our treatment and services.

The ways we collect information about you

We may collect and process the following data about you in operating the website and performing any of our services and treatment(s):

Direct
  • Information you give us (including information you give to our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists who are contracted to work for us). You may give us information about you by filling in forms on our website www.whitesdental.co.uk or by corresponding with us by phone, email, in person or otherwise.
  • Personal data is obtained when a patient joins the practice, when a patient is referred to the practice and when a patient subscribes to an email list.
Automatic
  • Information we automatically collect about you. With regard to each of your visits to our website we may automatically collect the following information:
  • Technical information, including the internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the internet, your login information, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plugin types and versions, operating system and platform; and
  • Information about your visit, including the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL) clickstream to, through and from our site (including date and time); products you viewed or searched for; page response times, download errors, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information (such as scrolling, clicks, and mouseovers), and methods used to browse away from the page and any phone number used to call our customer service number.
From third parties
  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists are third parties working for us as contractors, however, they are contractually bound to us with regard to obligations of confidentiality in the same way as our employees and by professional obligations of confidentiality.
  • You may have been referred to us for treatment from Invisalign and we will therefore receive contact data, special category data concerning health, treatment data and/or financial data from them.
  • Information we receive from other sources. We may receive information about you if you use any of the other websites we operate or the other services we provide.
  • We are also working closely with third parties (including, for example, business partners, subcontractors in technical, payment and delivery services, advertising networks, analytics providers, search information providers, credit reference agencies) and may receive information about you from them.
  • We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on activity, collect demographic data, analyze performance metrics, and collect and evaluate other information relating to our website and internet usage. These third parties use cookies and other technologies to help analyse and provide us with data.

How we share data with third parties

We may share your Contact data, special category of data relating to health, Financial data, Treatment data and/or Usage data with selected third parties including:

  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists.
  • Private health insurance companies (at your request if you are using private health insurance).
  • Credit reference agencies.
  • Equipment providers and laboratories such as Align Tech, Nimrodental, and Ashford Orthodontics.
  • Professional compliance organisations such as BDA.
  • Data storage and transfer platforms such as Microsoft Sharepoint and Dropbox.
  • Our payment platform Natwest.
  • Our practice management and CRM software providers Pearl.
  • Our live chat provider Quriobot.
  • Advertisers and advertising networks that require the data to select and serve relevant adverts to you and others such as Facebook.
  • Analytics and search engine providers that assist us in the improvement and optimisation of our site such as Google.

This is a list of the main third parties with whom we share your personal data. If you would like a full list of third parties who process your data, and their contact details, please contact us using the details set out above.

We never pass your personal details to a third party unless we have a contract for them to process data on our behalf and will otherwise keep it confidential.

If we intend to refer a patient to another practitioner or to secondary care such as a hospital we will gain your consent before the referral is made and the personal data is shared.

The website may include links to third party websites, plugins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.

Data transferred outside the EU

  • Personal data is stored in the EU whether in digital or hard copy format.
  • Personal data is stored in the US in digital format when the data storage company is certified with the EU-US Privacy Shield.

Lawful basis for processing personal data

The lawful bases for processing personal data (including providing your personal data to third parties) are:

  • Consent of the data subject for data relating to treatment, care, our services, processing payment, credit checks, marketing and reviews, improving our services and improving our website (including using data analytics). This will also apply to the storage of personal data for these purposes.
  • Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject or to take steps to enter into a contract such as the provision of the services by us.
  • Processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation such as financial, tax and contractual laws.

For consent relating to children and people who may not have mental capacity to give consent, please contact us using the details above for a copy of our Safeguarding and Mental Capacity policies.

The reason for processing special category data such as patients’ health data is:

  • The processing is necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine, for assessing the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or management of health or social care systems and services on the basis of Union or Member State law or a contract with a health professional; and
  • Data is processed by or under the responsibility of a professional subject to the obligation of professional secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies or by another person also subject to an obligation of secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies.

Purposes for processing personal data

We (and the third parties listed above) process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To provide you with our services.
  • To discuss relevant treatments.
  • To provide a safe working environment for staff, contractors and patients.
  • To check your employment and financial status for payment plans.
  • To process payments.
  • To keep you informed of our latest offers, other services we provide and general marketing activities.
  • To obtain reviews and feedback on your experience of our services.
  • To store our data.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us by using the details set out above.

Data retention

The retention period for special category data in patient records is a minimum of 10 years and may be longer for complex records in order to meet our legal requirements. The retention periods for other personal data is two years after it was last processed.

You will receive marketing emails until you unsubscribe, either by contacting us or by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. For details of other retention periods please contact us using the details set out above.

Your personal data rights

You have the following personal data rights:

  • The right to be informed.
  • The right of access to your personal data, which enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
  • The right to rectification of your personal data that you consider to be inaccurate. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected.
  • The right to erasure. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove your personal data (however clinical records must be retained for a certain time period).
  • The right to restrict processing. This gives you the option to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data e.g. if you want us to establish the data’s accuracy or you do not want us to erase it.
  • The right to data portability. If you request us to do so, we will provide to you, or a third party of your choice, your personal data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
  • The right to object. This enables you to object to the processing of your personal data if you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms, however, in some cases, we may have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which can override your right to object.
  • The right to request confirmation as to whether or not your personal data is being processed.
  • The right to not have a decision made about you based solely on automated processing.

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. If you request us to do so, we will no longer process your data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we will not be able to provide you with the services. You have the right to obtain a free copy of your patient records within one month of submitting a request.

If you are not a patient of the practice you have the right to withdraw consent for processing personal data, to have a free copy of it within one month of submitting a request, to correct errors in it or to ask us to delete it. You can also withdraw consent from communication methods such as telephone, email or text.

We have carried out a Privacy Impact Assessment and if you would like a copy please contact us using the details set out above.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, in the first instance, please contact us using the details set out above.

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.

Further details of these rights can be obtained on the Information Commissioner’s website.

Data security

We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.

We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so.

Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted through our website; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Comments, suggestions and complaints

Please contact the practice for a comment, suggestion or a complaint about your data processing at [email protected], or 0204 527 3210 or by writing to or visiting the practice. We take complaints very seriously.

If you are unhappy with our response or if you need any advice you should contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Their telephone number is 0303 123 1113, you can also find other contact options here. The ICO can investigate your claim and take action against anyone who’s misused personal data. You can also visit their website for information on how to make a data protection complaint.

Marketing by us

We offer individuals real choice and control. Our consent procedures put individuals in charge to build customer trust and engagement.

Our consent for marketing requires a positive opt-in, we don’t use pre-ticked boxes or any other method of default consent. We make it easy for people to withdraw consent, tell you how to and keep contemporaneous evidence of consent. Consent to marketing is never a precondition of a service.

You will receive marketing communications from us if you have requested information from us or if you have signed up via our contact form on the website and, in each case, you have not opted out of receiving that marketing.

Marketing by third parties

We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Opting out

Where you opt-out of receiving these marketing messages, this means that you may not receive messages relating to your appointments or treatment so please let us know by using the details set out above if you would like to continue to receive messages about your appointments and treatment.