White Fillings in Marlow, Beaconsfield & High Wycombe

• Appearance — composite fillings match the colour of your natural teeth, making them virtually invisible. Amalgam fillings are dark grey and become increasingly noticeable over time, particularly as they cause the surrounding tooth to discolour.
• Material — composite is made from resin and glass particles. Amalgam is an alloy of metals including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. At Conway House, all new fillings are placed using mercury-free composite resin.
• Tooth preservation — composite bonds directly to the tooth structure, allowing us to remove only the decayed or damaged tissue. Amalgam requires a specific cavity shape to be prepared, meaning more healthy tooth must often be removed to hold the filling mechanically.
• Sensitivity — composite expands and contracts less with temperature changes than amalgam, reducing the risk of hairline cracks developing in the tooth over time — a common cause of tooth fracture in older amalgam-filled teeth.
• Durability — modern composite materials are highly durable and continue to improve in strength. For most cavities, composite provides a long-lasting result. In heavy biting areas or for very large restorations, an inlay, onlay or crown may be recommended as a more durable alternative.

Composite fillings are suitable for a wide range of situations, but they are not always the most appropriate solution for every tooth. At your appointment, your dentist will assess the size and location of the cavity, the condition of the remaining tooth structure, and your bite before recommending the best option.

White fillings work best for:

• Small to medium cavities where healthy tooth structure is largely intact.
• Repairing minor chips or cracks in visible teeth.
• Replacing old, failing, or aesthetically unsatisfactory amalgam fillings.
• Closing small gaps or reshaping minor irregularities at the front of the mouth (also referred to as composite bonding).

Where a cavity is large, the tooth has been significantly weakened, or decay has affected a substantial portion of the biting surface, a more substantial restoration — such as a porcelain inlay, onlay, or crown — may better protect the tooth in the long term. We will always explain the options and the reasoning clearly before any treatment is agreed.

Many patients come to us specifically asking about the replacement of old amalgam fillings — whether for aesthetic reasons, because a filling is failing or cracked, or because they prefer a mercury-free mouth.

We approach amalgam replacement thoughtfully. Removing an amalgam filling releases mercury vapour during the process, and we follow best-practice protocols to minimise patient and clinician exposure. We also carry out a thorough assessment before removing any amalgam restoration, because an old filling that is structurally sound and not causing problems may be better left in place until replacement is genuinely indicated.

Where replacement is appropriate, we take the opportunity to assess the underlying tooth carefully. Decay or secondary caries beneath an old filling can be more extensive than expected — and where this is found, the treatment plan may need to change. We will always discuss this with you if it arises.

If you are considering replacing silver fillings for cosmetic reasons, we recommend completing any professional teeth whitening first. Composite is shade-matched to your natural teeth at the time it is placed, and whitening after new fillings are fitted will lighten the teeth but not the composite, creating a mismatch.

Most white filling appointments are straightforward and completed in a single visit. The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic — the most uncomfortable part of the process, and only briefly. The decay is carefully removed, the cavity is prepared, and the composite is applied in layers, each hardened with a curing light. The filling is then shaped and polished to match the surrounding tooth surface and your bite.

Some sensitivity to cold in the first few days following a filling is normal, particularly for deeper cavities where the nerve has been close to the work. This settles on its own. If sensitivity worsens or persists beyond two to three weeks, contact us — this occasionally indicates that further assessment is needed.

Most fillings are managed entirely within our general dental team. Occasionally, a filling appointment reveals more than was initially apparent, or a tooth’s condition warrants a different level of care. At Conway House, specialist expertise is available in-house for exactly these situations.

Endodontics — When Decay Is Deeper Than Expected

If decay has progressed close to or into the pulp of the tooth, a standard filling may not resolve the problem. Symptoms such as spontaneous toothache, prolonged sensitivity to heat, or pain that wakes you at night can indicate pulp involvement that will not settle with a filling alone. In these cases, root canal treatment is needed before the tooth can be restored. Dr Anand Mistry, our clinician with a practice limited entirely to endodontics, manages complex root canal cases in-house — ensuring the tooth is treated correctly before the final restoration is placed.

Restorative Dentistry — When a Filling Is Not Enough

Where a cavity is large, a tooth has been significantly weakened by previous restorations, or the remaining tooth structure cannot reliably support a long-term filling, Mr Ashok Vijayakumar, our Consultant and Specialist in Restorative Dentistry (M.Pros RCS Eng, FDS RestDent RCS Eng), can advise on and provide the appropriate restoration — whether that is a porcelain inlay, onlay, or crown. Getting this decision right matters: a large composite filling in a heavily loaded back tooth is a common cause of tooth fracture and repeated restoration failure. Specialist restorative input ensures the treatment is planned for the long term, not just the immediate appointment.

Periodontics — Fillings at the Gumline

Decay or worn restorations at or below the gumline present particular challenges — the gum tissue is directly involved, and its health affects both the ability to place a filling correctly and the longevity of the result. Where gum disease or recession is contributing to the problem, Dr Mital Patel, our Specialist in Periodontics, can address the periodontal condition as part of a coordinated treatment plan, ensuring the restored tooth has a healthy gum environment around it.