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Tooth filling in Sharjah
A tooth-coloured filling repairs a cavity, a small chip or a worn old filling so the tooth is strong and comfortable again. Most are done in one visit, often on the same day we find the problem.
Fix it while it’s small
A small cavity is one of the simplest things a dentist treats. Left alone, the same cavity can grow until it reaches the nerve and needs a root canal or even an extraction. Getting a tooth filling early saves you pain, time and money.
This guide explains when you need a filling, the materials we use, what happens during the appointment, aftercare, how long fillings last and what affects the cost at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic in Al Majaz, Sharjah.
When do you need a tooth filling?
A tooth filling repairs a tooth that has lost structure, most often to decay. Bacteria in plaque turn sugar into acid, and over time that acid softens the enamel and makes a small hole, called a cavity. Once a cavity has formed it can’t heal by itself, and it slowly grows deeper towards the nerve.
Fillings are also used to repair small chips and cracks, replace old fillings that have worn or leaked, and rebuild areas worn away by grinding or brushing too hard near the gum line.
Early decay often causes no pain at all. That is why many cavities are first found at a routine check-up or on an X-ray, when the tooth filling needed is small, quick and inexpensive.
Signs you may need a filling
- A twinge with sweet, hot or cold food
- Food catching in the same place
- A rough edge or hole you can feel with your tongue
- A dark spot or line on a tooth
- A piece of an old filling has come away
Types of tooth filling
Composite (tooth-coloured)
Our standard choice. A resin shaded to match your tooth and bonded to it, so less healthy tooth needs to be removed. Ideal for front and back teeth.
Glass ionomer
A tooth-coloured material that releases fluoride. Often used for baby teeth, areas near the gum line and as a temporary or lining material.
Inlays and onlays
For larger cavities, a filling made outside the mouth and bonded in place can be stronger than a large direct filling. We’ll tell you if it suits your tooth.
How a tooth filling is done
Check and X-ray
We confirm the size and depth of the cavity, often with a free X-ray, and explain what we see.
Numbing
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. For very small fillings some patients prefer to go without.
Removing decay
Soft, decayed tooth is gently removed and the cavity is cleaned and shaped.
Filling and polishing
The tooth-coloured material is placed in layers, hardened with a blue light, then shaped and polished so your bite feels natural.
Does a tooth filling hurt?
With local anaesthetic, a filling should not hurt. You will feel pressure and vibration while the decay is removed, and you will hear the instruments, but not pain. If you feel anything sharp, raise your hand and we stop straight away and give more anaesthetic.
The numbness lasts one to three hours. Avoid hot drinks and chewing until it wears off so you do not burn or bite your lip or cheek. If you’re anxious about dental treatment, tell us when you book and we’ll plan a longer, calmer appointment.
How long does it take?
- A small filling: about 20 to 30 minutes
- A larger filling: 40 to 60 minutes
- Several fillings can often be done in one visit
- Most fillings are done the same day the cavity is found
After your tooth filling
Composite fillings are fully hard as soon as you leave, so you can eat normally once the numbness has gone. It’s common for the tooth to feel a little sensitive to cold or pressure for a few days, especially after a deep filling. This usually settles on its own.
Call us if your bite feels high or uneven, if sensitivity is getting worse rather than better after a week, or if you get a throbbing ache. A high spot is easy to adjust in a few minutes, and it’s better to check than to wait.
To make your filling last, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth, keep sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes, and come for regular check-ups so small problems at the edges are caught early.
How long do fillings last?
A well-placed composite filling commonly lasts many years. How long depends on its size, where it is, your bite, grinding habits and how well the area is kept clean. Large fillings in heavily used back teeth wear faster and may eventually need a crown.
Filling, root canal or crown?
A filling is the right answer when decay has not reached the nerve and enough healthy tooth remains to hold it. If decay has reached the nerve and the tooth aches or throbs, root canal treatment is usually needed first. If a large part of the tooth is missing or cracked, a crown protects it better than a big filling.
We show you the X-ray and the tooth on screen, explain which option fits and why, and give you the cost of each in writing. Nothing starts until you agree.
Replacing old silver fillings
- We don’t remove sound old fillings just for looks unless you ask
- Cracked or leaking amalgam fillings can be replaced with composite
- We check the tooth underneath and explain what we find
Signs an old filling needs attention
Dark edges
A dark or stained line around an old filling can mean the seal has broken down and decay is starting underneath.
Sensitivity or pain
A filled tooth that has started to hurt with cold, sweet or biting may have new decay, a crack or a leaking edge.
Chips and rough spots
Food catching, floss shredding or a rough edge you can feel are signs the filling has worn or chipped and should be checked.
Fillings for children
Baby teeth matter: they hold space for adult teeth and decay in them can hurt and cause infection. Small cavities in baby teeth are filled gently with tooth-coloured materials, often glass ionomer, which releases fluoride. Fissure sealants and fluoride varnish help prevent new cavities. See our children’s dentistry page for more.
Preventing new cavities
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between teeth daily
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals
- Have a check-up every six months
How much does a tooth filling cost in Sharjah?
The price of a filling depends on the size of the cavity, how many surfaces of the tooth it involves, the material, and how many teeth need treating. That is why we do not put one number on this page that could be wrong for you.
Your consultation and X-ray are free, and you get the full cost in writing before anything starts. Fillings are covered by most UAE insurance plans, and you can spread larger treatment plans with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick. Insurance and payment options.
Tooth filling near you in Sharjah
- Open Sunday to Friday 9 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 12:30 PM to 10 PM
- Free consultation and X-ray
- Written cost before treatment
- Insurance: FMC, NGI, Inayah, Aafiya, SAICO / Damana, GlobeMed, MSH, Fazaa, Esaad
- Pay later with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick
We are on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, a short drive from Al Qasba, Al Nahda, Al Taawun, Rolla, Abu Shagara and Buhairah Corniche, with parking in front.
Get directionsTooth filling questions
Can I eat after a tooth filling?
Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Is a tooth-coloured filling as strong as silver?
Can a filling fall out?
Do I need an X-ray before a tooth filling?
Can I have a filling while pregnant?
Is a tooth filling covered by insurance?
Types of tooth filling
Composite (tooth-coloured) fillings are the filling we use most. The material is matched to the shade of your tooth and bonded in place, so it’s hard to see and keeps more of the natural tooth.
Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride and are useful near the gum line, for children’s teeth, or as a temporary filling.
Replacing old silver (amalgam) fillings is something many patients ask about. A sound amalgam filling does not need to be removed, but if it is cracked, leaking or decayed underneath, we can replace it with a tooth-coloured filling. See what affects the cost of a filling.
How a filling is done
- Check and X-ray: we find the size and depth of the cavity. The consultation and X-ray are free.
- Numbing: a local anaesthetic so you feel pressure, not pain. Small fillings sometimes need none.
- Removing decay: the soft, decayed part of the tooth is cleaned away.
- Filling: tooth-coloured material is placed in layers and hardened with a light.
- Shaping and polishing: we check your bite so the tooth feels normal.
Most fillings take 20 to 45 minutes and are done in one visit. You can usually eat once the numbness wears off, and a composite filling is fully set when you leave.
When a filling isn’t enough
If decay has reached the nerve, the tooth may need root canal treatment before it is filled. If a large part of the tooth is missing or cracked, a crown protects it better than a big filling. This is why finding decay early matters: a small filling is quicker and costs less. See what affects the cost of a filling and our guide to tooth decay.
After a filling, mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal. If the tooth hurts when you bite or the sensitivity gets worse, call us so we can adjust it.
Think you have a cavity?
Free consultation and X-ray. Most fillings are done the same day.
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