Mild cold sensitivity
Common after deeper fillings and usually settles over days to a few weeks. Sensitive toothpaste can help. It should be getting better, not worse.
Tooth-coloured fillings
Dental Fillings in Dubai
White composite fillings bonded to the tooth, placed with as little drilling as the decay allows, and an honest answer when a filling is no longer the right repair.
- Tooth-coloured composite
- Microscope-assisted dentists
- Options explained before treatment
If you have pain or a broken tooth, tell us when you book so we can allow time to examine it.
Quick answer
What is a tooth-coloured filling?
A tooth-coloured filling is a composite resin restoration bonded into a tooth after decay or damage has been removed. It is shade-matched to the tooth, hardened with a curing light and shaped to your bite in a single visit. At Creative Arts, composite is the standard filling material, and when a cavity is too large for a filling to last, the dentist explains the stronger alternatives first.
27 yearsIn-house dental laboratory in the same building
Written planItemised treatment plan before you commit
Open daily10:00–20:00, seven days a week
Jumeirah 3614 Jumeira St, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
Is a filling enough?
When a filling is the right repair, and when it is not
A filling replaces a missing part of a tooth. It works well while enough strong tooth remains around it. Beyond that, a stronger restoration protects the tooth better.
A filling is usually right for
- Small to moderate decay found at a check-up or on an X-ray
- A small chip on a front or back tooth
- Worn notches at the gum line from brushing or grinding
- An old filling that is leaking, stained or cracked but has sound tooth around it
- Replacing an amalgam filling that has a problem
Something else is usually better for
- A cavity taking up most of the tooth's width, or a cusp that has broken off: a lab-made ceramic restoration or a crown protects it better
- Decay that has reached the nerve, or lingering pain: root canal treatment comes first
- A back tooth that has already had a root canal: it usually needs cusp coverage
- A crack running down into the root
- Discolouration only: whitening or bonding may be simpler
Your options
Filling, ceramic restoration, crown or root canal: how the choice is made
The deciding factors are how much healthy tooth is left and whether the nerve is healthy. This is the usual order, from least to most involved.
| Composite filling | Lab-made ceramic restoration | Crown | Root canal + restoration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| When it is used | Small to moderate cavities with strong walls around them | Large cavities where the walls are thin but part of the tooth is intact | Most of the tooth is missing or cracked, or cusps need full coverage | The nerve is infected or irreversibly inflamed |
| Tooth removed | Only the decay and weak edges | Decay plus shaping for the ceramic | More, to make room all round | Access into the tooth, then a filling or crown on top |
| Visits | Usually one | Usually two, with a temporary | Usually two, with a temporary | Usually 1–2 for the root canal, then the restoration |
| Made where | Placed directly in the mouth | Designed and made in the dental laboratory | Designed and made in the dental laboratory | Treatment in the chair; crown from the laboratory if needed |
Laboratory restorations are made by Creative Art Dental Lab in the same building. See dental crowns and the root canal guide for those treatments in detail.
The appointment
How a composite filling is placed
Most fillings take one visit of about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and number of surfaces.
Check and numb
The tooth is examined, an X-ray taken if needed, and local anaesthetic given. Very shallow fillings sometimes do not need it.
StartIsolate the tooth
The tooth is kept dry, often with a thin rubber sheet. Composite bonds poorly to a wet surface, so this affects how long the filling lasts.
Remove decay only
Soft decayed tooth and weak edges are removed. Healthy tooth is left in place; a bonded filling does not need extra drilling to lock it in.
Bond and layer
A bonding agent is applied, then composite is added in thin layers, each hardened with a blue curing light. Layering reduces shrinkage stress.
Shape and check the bite
The filling is shaped, the bite checked with marking paper, and the surface polished so it does not collect plaque.
Finish
After your filling
Is it normal for a tooth to be sensitive after a filling?
Some sensitivity is common for a few days to a few weeks, especially after a deep filling. These are the patterns and what they mean.
Pain when you bite
Often means the filling is slightly high. It is a quick adjustment, so call us rather than waiting for it to settle; a high spot can bruise the tooth.
Lingering or throbbing pain
Pain that lasts after the cold is gone, throbs or wakes you can mean the nerve is inflamed. It needs to be checked, and may need root canal treatment.
Numbness
The anaesthetic usually wears off within a few hours. Avoid hot drinks and chewing on that side until it does, so you don't bite your cheek or lip.
Old metal fillings
Should you replace amalgam fillings?
Amalgam (silver) fillings that are intact and not causing problems do not need to be removed just because they are metal. Removing a sound filling always takes away some healthy tooth. Mainstream health bodies do not recommend replacing intact amalgam for general health reasons in most people.
Replacement makes sense when an amalgam filling has a problem:
- Decay at the edge, or a gap between filling and tooth
- A crack in the filling, or cracks spreading into the tooth around it
- A broken cusp next to a large amalgam
- You want a tooth-coloured result and accept the trade-off
When an old amalgam is removed, the cavity underneath is often larger than expected. Your dentist will tell you whether it can be refilled with composite or needs a laboratory restoration. Pregnant patients are usually advised to postpone elective replacement.
Lifespan
How long do fillings last?
There is no fixed expiry date. How long a filling lasts depends more on its size, the bite and new decay than on the material.
| Factor | Longer life | Shorter life |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small filling, one surface | Large filling replacing a cusp |
| Bite | Normal bite | Grinding or clenching, especially without a night guard |
| Decay risk | Good cleaning between teeth, low sugar frequency | Frequent snacking, dry mouth |
| Placement | Dry field, layered, well polished | Placed in a wet field or rushed |
As a general guide, well-placed composite fillings often last many years, commonly quoted as 5–10 years or more. Regular check-ups find leaking edges early, while a repair is still small.
Cost
What affects the cost of a filling
We quote after examining the tooth, because a filling that looks small on the surface can be larger underneath.
- Size and surfacesA one-surface filling is simpler than one that wraps around two or three surfaces of the tooth.
- Front or back toothFront teeth need more attention to shade and shape; back teeth need more strength.
- Replacing an old fillingRemoving old material adds time, and hidden decay can change the plan.
- Extra protectionDeep cavities may need a protective lining close to the nerve.
Who treats you
Dentists who place fillings at Creative Arts
Fillings are placed by our general and restorative dentists. Dr. Julia and Dr. Marina also use the dental microscope, which helps with deep cavities close to the nerve.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Does getting a filling hurt?
Most fillings are done under local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. The injection itself is a brief sting. Afterwards the tooth may be a little tender or sensitive to cold for a few days, which is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Tell the dentist during treatment if you feel anything sharp.
Can I eat after a composite filling?
Composite is fully hardened by the curing light before you leave, so you can eat once the numbness has worn off. Waiting for sensation to return protects your cheek, lip and tongue from accidental bites. Avoid very hot drinks until then too.
What if my filling falls out?
Keep the piece if you have it, avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean. Temporary filling material from a pharmacy can cover a sharp edge for a day or two. Call or WhatsApp us to be seen; our emergency dentist page explains what to do in the meantime.
Can a filling be done in one visit?
Yes, composite fillings are normally completed in a single visit. If the cavity turns out to be too large for a filling to last, a laboratory-made ceramic restoration or crown needs a second visit, and the tooth is protected with a temporary in between.
Why does my new filling feel high?
If the numbness was still present when the bite was checked, the filling can feel slightly high afterwards. This can make the tooth sore when you chew. It is a quick adjustment that does not need anaesthetic, so contact us rather than waiting for it to settle.
Do white fillings stain?
Composite is more resistant to staining than it used to be, but its surface can pick up some colour from coffee, tea and tobacco over years, especially at the edges. Polishing at check-ups helps. Ceramic restorations resist staining better where appearance is critical.
Can I have a filling while pregnant?
Necessary fillings, such as for decay or pain, can usually be done during pregnancy, and local anaesthetic is commonly used. The second trimester is often the most comfortable time. Elective work, such as replacing sound amalgam fillings, is usually postponed. Tell us you are pregnant when booking.
Should I replace my old silver (amalgam) fillings?
Not automatically. An intact amalgam filling with no decay or cracks around it can be left alone. Replacement with a tooth-coloured composite filling is recommended when the old filling is leaking, broken, has decay underneath, or the tooth around it is cracking — or if you prefer the appearance and the tooth is suitable. We do not make "detox" claims about removing amalgam.
Keep exploring
Related treatments
General dentistryGeneral dentist in DubaiCheck-ups, X-ray policy and prevention for adults and children.CosmeticComposite bondingThe same material used to reshape and repair front teeth.ConditionChipped or broken toothRepair options from a small filling to a crown.RestorativeDental crownsWhen a tooth needs full coverage rather than a filling.Root canalRoot canal treatmentWhen decay has reached the nerve and the tooth can still be saved.ConditionSensitive teethSensitivity after a new filling, and other causes.ConditionCracked toothWhen a large old filling has weakened the tooth.ConditionToothacheWhen pain points to decay or a lost filling.
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Tell us what you would like to change. The clinic replies within working hours with an appointment time.
- Address614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
- Opening hoursClinic open daily, 10:00–20:00
- Phone+971 4 342 4444 · WhatsApp +971 56 677 7537
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A consultation ends with a diagnosis and a written, itemised plan — not a sales pitch. Book online, message us on WhatsApp, or call the clinic.