Dental
Filling.
Catch it early.
Keep your tooth.
A filling is the simplest, fastest, most cost-effective dental treatment available. A small cavity caught early — when it is still confined to enamel or the outer dentine — can be restored with a filling in a single appointment. The same cavity left untreated progresses into the pulp, becomes an abscess, and requires root canal treatment or extraction at 10–20× the cost and complexity. Getting a filling at the right time is not just about treating decay — it is about preventing the procedure nobody wants.
Remove the decay.
Restore the tooth.
Stop the clock.
Dental decay (caries) is caused by acid produced by bacteria in dental plaque — bacteria that feed on dietary sugar and produce acid as a byproduct. This acid dissolves the mineral content of enamel and dentine. When the dissolution creates a cavity — a structural defect in the tooth — the bacteria colonise the cavity and the decay accelerates. A filling stops this process by removing the bacteria-harbouring infected dentine and sealing the tooth against further invasion.
Modern tooth-coloured filling materials — composite resin and glass ionomer cement — restore the tooth's shape, seal the cavity, and in the case of GIC, release fluoride to strengthen the surrounding tooth structure. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, takes 30–60 minutes, and the tooth is fully restored in a single appointment.
The cavity is assessed clinically and with a bitewing X-ray to confirm the depth of decay and its proximity to the pulp. This determines whether a filling is sufficient or whether PMT or crown is needed. The material choice (composite vs GIC) is made at this stage.
Local anaesthetic is injected before drilling begins. The tooth is tested to confirm it is fully numb. The filling procedure itself is painless — you will feel pressure and vibration but not pain. If any sensation is felt during the procedure, an additional anaesthetic can be given.
A dental bur removes all infected (soft, discoloured) dentine from the cavity. Healthy dentine is preserved — a minimally invasive approach that protects as much natural tooth structure as possible. A caries detector dye can confirm complete removal.
For composite: the cavity is etched with phosphoric acid gel (15–30 seconds), rinsed, dried, and a bonding agent is applied and light-cured — this creates a micromechanical bond between the composite and the dentine. For GIC: the cavity is conditioned with polyacrylic acid and the GIC is placed chemically rather than mechanically bonded.
Composite is placed in 2mm increments and each layer is light-cured (20 seconds) before the next layer is added — incremental placement prevents polymerisation shrinkage from pulling the filling away from the tooth walls. GIC is mixed to a consistent paste and placed in one or two increments, then covered with varnish while it sets chemically.
Articulating paper identifies any high spots — areas where the filling contacts the opposing tooth first. These are adjusted with a fine bur until the bite feels even. The filling is then polished to a smooth, lustrous surface. You leave with a fully functional tooth — no temporary, no second appointment required.
Composite or GIC —
what's the difference
and which is right for you?
Both are tooth-coloured, metal-free, and effective. The choice depends on the cavity location, size, moisture control, and your specific clinical situation — not just cost.
Composite resin is a particle-filled plastic material that bonds micromechanically to the tooth after acid etching and bonding agent application. It is colour-matched to your existing tooth shade, placed incrementally, and set immediately with a curing light. Composite is the gold standard for anterior (front) teeth and moderate posterior fillings.
Glass ionomer cement is an acid-base reaction material that bonds chemically to both enamel and dentine without etching. It releases fluoride ions continuously, reinforcing the surrounding tooth structure and inhibiting secondary decay at the cavity margins. GIC is particularly valuable for root cavities, elderly patients with dry mouth, and as a base beneath composite.
A filling is appropriate for cavities confined to enamel and dentine. If the remaining tooth structure after decay removal is less than ~50% of the original crown, a crown provides significantly better long-term protection — a large filling in a heavily broken-down tooth is at high risk of fracture. If decay has reached within 0.5–2mm of the pulp, PMT (Pulp Maintenance Therapy) with a bioactive base (MTA or Biodentine) is placed first, followed by the filling above it — this protects the pulp and improves long-term prognosis. If the pulp is already irreversibly inflamed or necrotic, no filling can treat the underlying infection — root canal treatment is required first. Dr. Haris assesses all of these at the consultation and recommends the correct treatment — not the simplest one.
A composite filling
step by step.
What happens from the moment you sit in the chair to the moment you leave with a restored tooth — in one appointment.
A bitewing or periapical X-ray confirms the depth and extent of the cavity — and critically, the distance to the pulp. If decay is close to the pulp (<0.5–1mm), a PMT base is planned before the filling. If the X-ray shows the pulp is already involved — widened pulp chamber, periapical change — root canal treatment is recommended instead. This assessment takes place before any drilling. The cost is explained and confirmed.
For composite, the shade is selected before anaesthesia — the tooth must be seen in its natural moist state, not dehydrated after treatment. A shade guide is held against adjacent teeth in natural lighting. Most anterior fillings use A2 or A3 composite, but Dr. Haris matches to your specific tooth. GIC shade selection is less critical — GIC mimics dentine colour naturally but is slightly more opaque than composite.
Local anaesthetic is administered and the tooth is tested for numbness before any preparation begins. Rubber dam or cotton roll isolation is placed to maintain a dry field — moisture contamination of an etched dentine surface is the most common cause of composite failure. Rubber dam is used for all composite fillings in teeth where isolation is technically possible.
A round bur or hand excavator removes all softened, infected dentine. Healthy (hard, mineralised) dentine is preserved even if discoloured — colour alone is not a reliable indicator of infection. For very deep cavities, a caries detector dye (e.g. Caries Detector, Kuraray) is applied — it stains infected dentine red but does not stain affected or healthy dentine, allowing precise removal. If more decay is present than the X-ray suggested, or pulp proximity is greater than expected, the treatment plan is paused and re-discussed before proceeding.
For composite: 37% phosphoric acid gel is applied to enamel margins (15–20 seconds) and dentine (10–15 seconds), rinsed thoroughly, and dried to a "moist-dry" state. A dentine bonding agent is applied, air-thinned, and light-cured for 10 seconds. This creates micro-tags in the etched enamel and a hybrid layer in the dentine for a strong mechanical and chemical bond. If the cavity is deep, a GIC or calcium silicate base (2mm) is placed over the pulpal floor before composite — this is the "sandwich technique" and protects the pulp from polymerisation shrinkage stress. For GIC fillings: the cavity is conditioned with 10% polyacrylic acid for 10 seconds, rinsed, and GIC is mixed and placed without etching.
Composite is placed in increments of no more than 2mm and each layer is cured for 20 seconds with an LED curing light before the next layer is added. Incremental placement is essential — composite shrinks approximately 2% by volume during polymerisation, and placing a single large increment shrinks away from the cavity wall, creating a gap (microleakage) that allows bacteria to re-enter. Building the tooth back in layers — first the proximal walls (if present), then the floor, then the cusps — restores the original anatomy and contact point, if applicable.
Articulating paper is used to mark premature contacts — the filling is adjusted with a fine finishing bur until the bite feels natural and even. The filling is contoured to replicate the natural tooth anatomy, then polished with a sequence of polishing discs and points to achieve a smooth, glossy surface. A smooth surface is clinically important — rough composite accumulates more plaque than the surrounding enamel, increasing secondary decay risk at the filling margins. The patient bites and confirms the bite feels correct before leaving.
What to expect — and
when to call us back.
Most patients leave a filling appointment with no restrictions and resume normal eating the same day. Here is what is normal and what is not.
Avoid eating until the anaesthetic has worn off — you cannot feel the tooth properly and may bite your cheek or burn your mouth with hot food without realising. Drink cool water only. Most dental anaesthetics last 2–4 hours depending on the nerve block used.
Composite fillings are set immediately after light curing — you can eat once the anaesthetic has worn off. GIC fillings reach full hardness in 24 hours — avoid hard or chewy foods on that side for 24 hours. Avoid very cold or very hot food for the first 48 hours if sensitivity is present.
Mild sensitivity to cold, sweet, or pressure for 24–72 hours is completely normal after a filling — particularly for deeper cavities. Manage with ibuprofen 400mg or paracetamol 500–1000mg. Sensitivity should reduce each day. If it is getting worse, or is spontaneous and throbbing at any point, call Hassaan Dental.
The bite is checked before you leave, but anaesthesia makes bite assessment slightly less precise. If the filling feels high the next day — like it is hitting before the other teeth — call Hassaan Dental for a quick bite adjustment (a 5-minute appointment, no charge). A high bite causes significant jaw ache if left unadjusted.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Use interdental brushes or floss daily — the margins of fillings (where the filling meets the tooth) are the most vulnerable point for secondary decay. Avoid biting hard objects (ice, pens, bottle caps). Night guards prevent filling fracture from bruxism. 6-monthly check-ups allow early detection of failing margins.
Call Hassaan Dental if: sensitivity is worsening after 3 days (not improving); spontaneous throbbing pain develops at any point; you can feel a rough edge or the filling feels loose; the bite feels wrong after the anaesthetic has fully worn off; or you experience facial swelling.
About persistent sensitivity after a deep filling: If a cavity was very close to the pulp, some patients experience sensitivity that takes 2–4 weeks to settle rather than 2–3 days. This is a normal biological response — the pulp is reacting to the proximity of previous decay and the filling procedure. Provided the sensitivity is brief and provoked only (not spontaneous), it typically resolves as the pulp lays down tertiary dentine beneath the filling. If sensitivity is spontaneous, throbbing, or wakes you at night at any point — this indicates the pulp may be irreversibly inflamed and root canal treatment may be needed. Do not wait — contact Hassaan Dental for reassessment.
Fillings work —
but prevention works better.
Fluoride toothpaste (1,000–1,450 ppm) twice daily. The fluoride remineralises early enamel lesions around filling margins before they become new cavities.
The contact point between teeth — exactly where fillings are most often placed — is only cleanable by interdental cleaning. Neglecting interdental cleaning is the primary cause of secondary caries at filling margins.
The number of daily sugar exposures matters more than the total amount. Sipping sugary drinks throughout the day creates constant acid attack. Limit sweet food and drink to mealtimes.
A check-up X-ray catches interproximal (between-teeth) cavities at stage 1 or 2 — when a preventive treatment or small filling is all that is needed. Waiting for pain means waiting for stage 3 or 4.
Filling questions
answered directly.
Including questions about pain, lifespan, material choice, and how to tell if you actually need one.
Dr. Haris Mehmood.
At Hassaan Dental, there is no delegation — Dr. Haris Mehmood performs every filling himself. His BDS Gold Medal, FICD fellowship, MSPH, and research background (PubMed/MEDLINE indexed, FDI SIDC Riyadh 2025) mean that even a routine composite filling is placed by a clinician who understands caries biology, dentine bonding chemistry, and the clinical consequences of technique shortcuts. Most clinics treat fillings as a simple procedure. We treat them as the first line of defence between a healthy tooth and a root canal.
A filling today.
A root canal avoided
tomorrow.
PKR 1,000 consultation includes OPG X-ray and full assessment. Dr. Haris will confirm whether a filling is appropriate — or whether a simpler preventive treatment or a more involved restoration is the correct recommendation.
Price disclaimer: GIC filling PKR 3,000 · Composite filling PKR 5,000 per tooth. Unit prices remain the same; final treatment cost may vary after clinical examination. If a PMT base or crown is indicated instead of a filling, this is confirmed before treatment begins.
