What tooth-coloured fillings are and who they suit
A filling repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay, a small fracture or wear. The dentist removes the damaged part and closes the space with a restorative material. Fillings come in three main types:
- Composite (light-cure) fillings. A tooth-coloured resin is placed in layers, and each layer is hardened with a blue curing light. The light is not an X-ray or a laser, and it does not treat the decay. It only makes the material set. Composite bonds to the tooth, so the dentist can usually remove just the decayed part and keep more healthy tooth. It is used in front and back teeth. It is also used to repair small chipped corners and to close small defects or stained pits.
- Ceramic fillings. Porcelain-type restorations are often used for larger cavities in back teeth, where a strong, colour-stable material may help. Depending on the method, they may be made outside the mouth and then bonded in place.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings. This is an older metal material that many people still have in their mouths. Mainstream bodies such as the ADA and NHS consider intact amalgam fillings safe. Its use is being reduced worldwide, and many countries avoid placing it for children and for pregnant or breastfeeding women unless it is clinically necessary.
Two limits are worth knowing. A composite filling does not whiten a tooth, and it does not lighten if you whiten your teeth later. If you plan to whiten, ask whether to do it before front fillings are matched. Also, a filling is not always enough. A tooth with very large damage, a crack, or decay that has reached the nerve may need a different treatment, and only an examination can tell.
Signs that call for an examination, and when it is urgent
Book a check-up if you notice:
- Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets that lingers
- Pain when biting, or food packing into one spot
- A visible hole, a dark spot or a rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- A chipped tooth, or a filling that has cracked, loosened or fallen out
- Dark staining or floss shredding at the edge of an old filling
Not every old filling needs replacing. Reasons a dentist may suggest replacement include new decay under or around the filling, a fracture of the filling or the tooth, a gap at the edge, or a filling that has worn down. Mainstream guidance does not recommend removing sound amalgam fillings just for general health reasons. If the reason is appearance, discuss the benefits and the amount of tooth that may be lost.
Seek urgent care for swelling of the face or jaw that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever with tooth pain. These can be signs of a serious infection. Call 911 in Jordan or go to an emergency department.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The usual sequence for a light-cure filling is:
- Examination and shade selection. The dentist checks the tooth, may take an X-ray, and chooses a shade that matches your tooth. The shade is chosen before the tooth dries out, because dry teeth look lighter.
- Anaesthesia and isolation. Local anaesthetic is used when needed. The tooth is kept dry, because moisture weakens the bond.
- Decay removal and surface conditioning. The decayed tissue is removed, and the surface is prepared so the material can bond.
- Layered build-up and curing. The composite is added in layers, and each layer is set with the curing light.
- Bite adjustment and polishing. The dentist checks your bite and smooths the filling so it feels natural.
As general guidance, a single filling often takes about 20 to 40 minutes. Front-tooth work with several layers and shades can take up to about an hour. Ceramic restorations may need more than one visit, depending on how they are made. Your dentist will review the filling at your routine check-ups.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about tooth fillings in Amman
The clinic's ClinicsJo record, verified by the platform, lists these services related to this page:
- Light cure fillings
- Ceramic dental fillings
- Replacement of old fillings
- Tooth fillings
- Treatment of tooth decay
The record does not list amalgam fillings separately, so ask the clinic directly if this matters to you.
The clinic was established in 2022 and has 120 published services on the platform. Its listed main services include dental implants, orthodontic braces, veneers, teeth whitening and root canal treatment. Its description says it provides preventive, restorative and cosmetic care, and that treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and the patient's needs. The team named in the description includes Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan and Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan.
Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan, whose record is also verified, lists 15 years of experience. His record also includes:
- Education: a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University (2010, according to his biography).
- Courses: an Advanced Implantology Course (ICOI, 2018), a Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification (Align Technology Academy, 2020) and Microscope-Assisted Endodontics (Jordanian Academy of Dentistry, 2022).
- Practice: dental work in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- Services and conditions: he provides fillings, prevention and dental emergency care, among other services. He treats conditions such as tooth decay, tooth sensitivity and fractured teeth.
- Languages: Arabic and English.
On ClinicsJo, the clinic has 2 approved reviews and the doctor has 3, each with an average rating of 5. This is a small number of reviews, so use it as one input among others.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Which material do you suggest for this tooth: composite or ceramic? Why?
- Is a filling enough, or is the damage large enough to need another restoration?
- For an old filling: what problem do you see, and how much tooth will be removed?
- Will I need an X-ray first?
- If I plan to whiten my teeth, should I do it before front fillings?
- How many visits will this take, and how much time should I set aside?
- What does the cost include? The cost depends on the examination and the plan, so ask before starting.
- What should I do if the tooth stays sensitive afterwards?
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- A composite filling is set by the time you leave. If you were numbed, wait until the feeling returns before you chew or have hot drinks, so you do not bite your cheek or burn your mouth.
- Mild sensitivity to cold or biting can happen for a short time. Contact the clinic if your bite feels high, or if pain gets worse or does not settle.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Spit after brushing rather than rinsing. Clean between your teeth every day.
- Cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks. Do not bite hard objects or open packets with your teeth.
- Composite can pick up stains from tea, coffee and smoking.
- If you grind your teeth, ask whether a night guard is advisable.
No filling lasts forever. How long one lasts depends on its size, your bite, your habits and how often it is checked.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
The clinic's record lists the first consultation as free. Use the contact button on this page to book.
Address as recorded: دوار الصحفيين، مجمع التميمي ط1. This is the first floor of Al Tamimi Complex at Journalists Roundabout, in Tabarbour, Amman. The clinic sees patients from across Amman.
Confirmed opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 to 22:00. Friday hours are not listed, so check before planning a visit.