Cosmetic Fillings

Cosmetic Fillings Lewisham – Greenwich – Blackheath

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Material

Composite resin

Visits

Usually one

Preparation

Minimal

Taison Lee
Dentist with a special interest in restorative dentistry · GDC 302813

What are cosmetic fillings?

Cosmetic fillings use tooth-coloured composite resin to improve how a tooth looks. The resin is bonded to your tooth bit by bit. Then it’s shaped and polished to match the teeth around it. It’s a simple way to repair chips, broken edges, worn teeth and stained patches.

They work especially well on front teeth. They can be used on back teeth too, if the damage isn’t too large. Treatment at our Lewisham practice is with Dr Taison Lee.

Why choose a cosmetic filling?

The resin is matched to your tooth colour, so the repair blends in.
Your tooth needs little preparation, so more of it is kept.
It can rebuild a chipped, broken or worn edge, usually in one visit.
It can cover a discoloured patch that cleaning or whitening won’t shift.
It can replace an old metal filling with a tooth-coloured one.

Need a filling because of decay? See white fillings.

Other ways to improve a tooth

Composite bonding
Resin added to reshape healthy teeth or close small gaps. Composite bonding starts from £330.
Veneers
A thin layer over the front of a tooth to change its shape or shade. See veneers.
Crowns
For a tooth with too much damage for a filling. See dental crowns.
Teeth whitening
For staining across all your teeth. See teeth whitening.

What to expect

Assessment
We check the tooth and your gums. We choose a shade of resin that matches your teeth.
Cleaning
We clean your mouth thoroughly. If any preparation is needed, we can numb the area first.
Building the tooth
The tooth is prepared. Then the resin is added bit by bit and hardened with a special light.
Shaping and polishing
We shape the resin until it looks as close to the original tooth as possible. Then we polish it.

Cosmetic fillings at SmileUp

Treatment by Dr Taison Lee, who has a strong interest in restorative and cosmetic dentistry
Fillings, bonding, veneers and whitening under one roof, so we can suggest the option that suits your tooth
Open six days · Mon, Tue until 7:30pm

Questions we’re often asked

How much do cosmetic fillings cost?

Tooth-coloured fillings start from £160. The price depends on the size of the repair and which tooth it is on. We give you the full cost before we start.

Are cosmetic fillings the same as white fillings?

They use the same composite resin. White fillings mainly repair decay. Cosmetic fillings are about appearance, such as rebuilding chips, worn edges and stained patches. Often one filling does both jobs.

Can a cosmetic filling fix a chipped front tooth?

Usually, yes. Resin is bonded to the tooth and shaped to rebuild the missing edge. If a large part of the tooth has broken, a crown or veneer may be a better option. We’ll advise you after checking it.

Will people notice the filling?

The resin is matched to the shade of your teeth, so it usually blends in well. Like natural teeth, it can pick up stains over time from tea, coffee or smoking.

Does a cosmetic filling hurt?

Most cosmetic fillings need little drilling. If any preparation is needed, we can numb the area first, so you shouldn’t feel pain. You may feel some pressure while we work.

Cosmetic filling or composite bonding: what’s the difference?

Both use composite resin. A cosmetic filling repairs part of a tooth that is damaged or stained. Bonding reshapes healthy teeth, for example to close small gaps or even out their length.

How long do cosmetic fillings last?

It depends on the size of the repair, where it is and habits such as grinding. Resin can chip or stain over time, but it can usually be repaired or polished. We check it at your regular check-ups.