What are the best tooth filling materials available in UAE clinics?

Fillings fall into two groups. Direct fillings are placed straight into the prepared tooth and set in the same visit. Indirect restorations are made to measure outside the mouth and then bonded or cemented to the tooth.

• Composite resin (direct). A tooth-coloured material that is bonded to the tooth in layers and hardened with a curing light. It is the white filling most people know.
• Amalgam (direct). The traditional silver-coloured filling, made from a metal alloy. It is hard-wearing but clearly visible.
• Glass ionomer (direct). A tooth-coloured material that bonds to the tooth and releases fluoride. It is softer than composite, so it is often used for small fillings near the gum line, in baby teeth or as a temporary filling.
• Ceramic inlays and onlays (indirect). Porcelain pieces made to fit a larger cavity. An inlay sits within the biting surface; an onlay also covers one or more cusps of the tooth.

When too little natural tooth is left for any filling, a dental crown that covers the whole tooth may be advised instead. Read more about our tooth filling treatment.

There is no single answer, because how long a filling lasts depends as much on the tooth and how it is used as on the material.

• Amalgam and ceramic restorations are generally regarded as hard-wearing on back teeth that take heavy biting forces.
• White composite fillings commonly last around 5–10 years with good care, often longer.
• Glass ionomer wears faster on biting surfaces, so it is usually chosen for areas that take less chewing force.

Size, position in the mouth, grinding or clenching and how well the tooth is cleaned all affect lifespan. Read more in our guide to how long fillings last.

Neither is better for every tooth. They suit different situations.

• Appearance. Composite matches the tooth colour; amalgam is silver and clearly visible.
• Tooth structure. Composite is bonded to the tooth, so a smaller cavity can often be prepared. Amalgam is held in place mechanically and may need a little more shaping.
• Durability. Amalgam is very hard-wearing on back teeth. Composite also works well on back teeth when it suits the size of the cavity.
• Placement. Composite needs the tooth kept dry while it is bonded and takes a little longer to place. Amalgam is more forgiving of moisture.

White composite fillings are available at Best Dentist in Al Rigga for AED 150 per tooth, once the dentist has examined the tooth and confirmed a filling is right for you. See all our prices.

Ceramic is not a filling in the usual sense. It is an indirect restoration, such as an inlay or onlay, made to fit the tooth and then bonded in place. Composite is a direct filling placed and shaped in the chair.

• Larger cavities. Ceramic may be considered when a cavity is too large for a simple filling but the tooth does not yet need a crown.
• Staining. Ceramic resists staining well; composite can pick up stains at its edges over time.
• Visits and cost. A composite filling is usually done in one visit. A ceramic restoration is made to measure, usually takes more than one visit and costs more.
• Repairs. Composite can often be repaired or added to in the chair; a damaged ceramic piece usually needs replacing.

For most small and medium cavities, a direct composite filling is enough. The dentist explains whether a larger restoration is worth considering for your tooth.

Tooth-coloured materials look the most natural. Composite is shade-matched to your tooth and polished, so a well-placed white filling is hard to spot. Ceramic also blends in closely and keeps its colour well.

Glass ionomer is tooth-coloured but usually less glossy, so it is often used where appearance matters less. Amalgam is silver and does not blend in.

Colour can still change over time. Tea, coffee and smoking can stain the edges of white fillings. Our guide to eating right after getting a filling covers aftercare.

The right material depends on your tooth, and is chosen with your dentist after an examination. The main things considered are:

• Cavity size. Small and medium cavities usually suit a direct filling; very large ones may need an inlay, onlay or crown.
• Tooth location. Front teeth need a natural look; back teeth need to withstand chewing.
• Biting forces. Grinding, clenching or a heavy bite affect which material will cope best.
• Oral health. Gum health, the risk of new decay and any existing fillings all matter.
• The examination. An X-ray can show how deep the decay goes before a material is chosen.

At Best Dentist, the dentist explains the options that suit your tooth and the price before treatment starts. Read our guide to how much fillings cost in the UAE, or see all our dental services.