A filling replaces the part of a tooth destroyed by decay. Caught early, it is a short, routine appointment. Left too long, the same cavity may need root canal treatment or extraction instead — which is why we are keen on catching it at a check-up rather than waiting for pain.
How decay progresses
- Early. Enamel only. Often no symptoms at all, visible to us on examination or X-ray. Sometimes reversible with fluoride.
- Moderate. Into the dentine beneath. Sensitivity to sweet or cold. This is the ideal point for a filling.
- Advanced. Approaching or reaching the nerve. Lingering pain, pain at night. A filling alone may no longer be enough.
Pain is a late signal. By the time a tooth aches, the cheapest and simplest window has often closed.
What the appointment involves
- Numbing. Local anaesthetic if the cavity is deep. We wait until the area is properly numb before starting — tell us if you can still feel sharpness.
- Removing decay. The softened, infected tooth structure is cleaned out.
- Placing the filling. Tooth-coloured composite is placed in layers and set with a curing light.
- Shaping and checking the bite. We adjust until it feels level. If it feels high when you get home, come back — a high filling can cause real discomfort and is quickly corrected.
Afterwards
Composite fillings set hard immediately, so you can eat as soon as the numbness wears off. Wait until then to avoid biting your lip or cheek. Some sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal, particularly with deeper fillings.
See us again if
The tooth is painful to bite on after a few days, sensitivity is getting worse rather than better, or there is throbbing or pain that wakes you at night.
Common questions
How long does a filling last?
It varies widely with the size of the filling, where it is in the mouth, your bite, and your oral hygiene. Fillings are not permanent — they are checked at every visit and replaced when they wear, chip or leak at the margins.
Can I have a tooth-coloured filling instead of a silver one?
Yes. We place tooth-coloured composite as standard. If you have existing amalgam fillings that are sound and causing no problems, there is usually no clinical need to replace them; we will discuss it with you if you would like them changed.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
Only at the very earliest enamel stage, and only with fluoride and improved cleaning. Once decay has broken through into dentine, it will not reverse.
What it costs
We do not publish a price list, because the right treatment — and so the price — depends on what we find when we examine you. What we promise instead:
- A written treatment plan and quote before any work begins
- No charges you have not agreed to first
- Payment by MTN MoMo, Airtel Money or card
Nervous about this treatment?
Tell us when you book. We allow extra time, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you ask us to.