What this treatment is and who it suits
A filling repairs a tooth that has lost structure to decay, a crack or wear. The dentist removes the damaged part and rebuilds the tooth so it can bite and be cleaned normally again. Fillings fall into a few broad types:
- Composite (light-cure) fillings. A tooth-coloured resin placed directly into the cavity in layers. A visible blue light hardens each layer in seconds. The light is not an X-ray or a laser and does not treat decay; it only sets the material. Composite bonds to the tooth, so often only the decayed part needs removing. It suits small to medium cavities in front and back teeth, chipped corners and stained pits.
- Ceramic fillings (inlays and onlays). Made from porcelain-type material to fit the prepared tooth, then bonded in place. They are often considered for larger cavities in back teeth, where a direct filling may be less durable.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings. Many older fillings are amalgam. Mainstream guidance does not advise removing a sound amalgam filling only because it contains mercury. Many authorities now favour alternatives for some groups, such as pregnant women and young children. Discuss your own situation with your dentist.
Which option fits depends on the size and position of the cavity, how much healthy tooth remains, your bite and your budget. Only an examination can decide. A very deep cavity may need root canal treatment, and a badly broken tooth may need a crown instead.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a check if you notice:
- Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold food that lingers
- A visible hole, dark spot or rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- Food packing between two teeth in the same place
- A chipped tooth, or an old filling that feels loose, cracked or sharp
- Dark lines or staining around the edge of an existing filling
- Pain when biting
Small cavities often cause no symptoms, so regular check-ups and X-rays when the dentist advises them can catch decay early.
Seek urgent care if you have facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever with tooth pain, or swelling around the eye or under the jaw. These can be signs of a spreading infection. In Jordan, call 911 in an emergency.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The platform's general service description outlines these stages for a light-cure filling:
- Examination and shade selection. The dentist checks the tooth, often with an X-ray, and matches the composite shade to your natural tooth.
- Anaesthesia and isolation. Local anaesthetic is used when needed. The tooth is kept dry, for example with cotton rolls or a rubber sheet, because moisture weakens the bond.
- Decay removal and surface conditioning. Decayed tissue is removed and the surface is prepared so the material can bond.
- Building up in layers and curing. Composite is placed in thin layers, and each layer is hardened with the curing light.
- Bite adjustment and polishing. The dentist checks how your teeth meet and polishes the filling smooth.
As a general guide, one tooth usually takes about 20 to 40 minutes. A front restoration built in several layers and shades can take up to about an hour. A ceramic inlay or onlay usually needs more than one visit, with a temporary filling in between. Follow-up happens at your routine check-ups, or sooner if your bite feels wrong.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
The information below comes only from the clinic's and dentist's records on ClinicsJo.
- Filling services listed: light-cure fillings, ceramic dental fillings, replacement of old fillings, tooth fillings and treatment of tooth decay. These sit among 120 published services. The clinic's main services are dental implants, orthodontic braces, Hollywood smile (veneers), teeth whitening and root canal treatment.
- Clinic: Arafat Dental Clinics, established in 2022. It provides preventive, restorative and cosmetic care and is verified by the platform. Its description says treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs. The team includes Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan and Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan.
- Dentist: Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan, verified by the platform, with 15 years of experience.
- Education: a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University (2010, per his biography).
- Further training: an Advanced Implantology Course (ICOI, 2018), a Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification (Align Technology Academy, 2020) and a Microscope-Assisted Endodontics course (Jordanian Academy of Dentistry, 2022).
- Background: dental practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- Languages: Arabic and English.
- Services he provides: fillings, endodontics, prosthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, children's dentistry and dental emergencies, among others.
- Conditions he treats: tooth decay, tooth pain, fractures and sensitivity, among others.
- Reviews on the platform: the clinic has 2 approved reviews and the dentist has 3, each averaging 5. These are small numbers, so read them as a starting point rather than a verdict.
- Consultation: the record lists the first consultation as free.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Which material do you recommend for this tooth (composite or ceramic), and why?
- How much of the tooth will be removed? Would a crown be better?
- Does my old filling actually need replacing, or can it be monitored or repaired?
- How will you keep the tooth dry during bonding?
- Do I need an X-ray first?
- If I plan whitening, should it be done before the filling? Composite does not lighten when teeth are whitened, so the shade is usually matched after whitening.
- How many visits will this take?
- What does the cost include? The cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
- What should I do if the tooth is sensitive or my bite feels high afterwards?
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- If you had an anaesthetic, avoid chewing on that side until the numbness wears off, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
- Mild sensitivity to cold or biting for a few days can happen. Contact the clinic if pain grows, lasts, or wakes you at night, or if your bite feels uneven.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. New decay can start at the edges of any filling.
- Cut down on sugary snacks and drinks between meals.
- Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pens or nut shells. Ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Composite can pick up stains from tea, coffee and smoking over time. Regular polishing at check-ups helps.
No filling lasts forever. How long one lasts depends on its size, its position, your bite, your diet and your oral hygiene. Regular check-ups let the dentist spot wear or leaking edges early, when a repair is simpler.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman. The recorded address is دوار الصحفيين، مجمع التميمي ط1: Journalists Roundabout, Al Tamimi Complex, first floor.
Confirmed opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed among the confirmed hours.
Use the contact button on this page to book. Mention whether you have pain or a broken filling so the clinic can plan the visit.