What are they?

A filling replaces part of a tooth that has been lost because of decay or accidental damage.
Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings, white fillings stick to teeth so they can be used to repair teeth (especially front teeth) that have been chipped, broken or decayed. They can sometimes be used in back teeth if there is not too much decay or damage.

You will probably hear the dentist talk about ‘composite’ or ‘glass lonomer’ - these are just different types of white filling.

What will my dentist do?

normally give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area;

remove any decay;

remove some or all of an old filling;

wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and then air onto it (the dentist will be holding something which looks like a water pistol);

put the filling material into or onto the tooth and shape it

harden the filling by pointing a bright light at it, inside your mouth (you will see the dentist and dental nurse protecting their eyes); and trim and polish the filling.