When a tooth is decayed, chipped or worn, the aim is to restore it while keeping as much healthy tooth as possible. For small and medium-sized cavities we use tooth-coloured composite fillings. For larger cavities, inlays made of composite or ceramic are one option.

What they are

  • Composite (white) filling. A tooth-coloured material that bonds to the tooth surface and is hardened with a curing light. Because it bonds to the tooth, usually only the damaged tissue needs to be removed.
  • Inlay or onlay. A restoration made outside the mouth, in a dental laboratory, from an impression of your tooth, and bonded at a second visit. It is used when the damage is too large for a simple filling but the tooth does not yet need a full crown.

Conservative restoration with composites and inlays is an area of particular interest for Lydia Gerasopoulou.

When they may be needed

  • Decay found at an examination or on X-rays.
  • A chipped or cracked tooth.
  • Wear near the gum line that causes sensitivity.
  • An old filling that is worn, leaking or has decay underneath.

Early decay often causes no pain, which is why regular check-ups help to treat it while it is still small.

What usually happens

Composite filling (one visit):

  1. Local anaesthetic, where needed.
  2. Isolating the tooth so it stays dry while the material is bonded.
  3. Removing the decay and cleaning the cavity.
  4. Applying a bonding agent and placing the composite in layers, curing each one.
  5. Shaping, checking your bite and polishing.

Inlay (usually two visits):

  1. Removing the decay or old filling and shaping the tooth.
  2. Taking an impression and fitting a temporary restoration.
  3. The inlay is made in the laboratory.
  4. Second visit: checking fit and colour, bonding, checking your bite.

Afterwards

  • If you had an anaesthetic, wait until the numbness wears off before eating, so you do not bite your lip or cheek.
  • Mild sensitivity to cold or when chewing for a few days is common. If it persists, or the tooth feels "high" when you bite, let us know so we can check it.
  • Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth.
  • Fillings do not last forever. How long they last depends on their size and position, your diet and your oral hygiene. We check them at every routine visit.

Frequently asked questions

Are white fillings safe?

Composite materials have been used for decades and are considered safe for dental use. If you have a known allergy to dental materials, please tell us before treatment.

Should I replace my old amalgam fillings?

Not necessarily. If an amalgam filling is in good condition, removing it for that reason alone is generally not recommended, because every replacement also removes some healthy tooth. We replace it when it is worn, broken or has decay underneath. In the European Union, amalgam has no longer been used for new fillings since 2025, except in exceptional cases.

When is an inlay needed instead of a filling?

When the damage covers a large part of the tooth, especially on back teeth that take heavy chewing forces. An inlay is made outside the mouth and can restore the shape and the contacts with neighbouring teeth more accurately.

Does a filling hurt?

Local anaesthetic is used when decay is deep or the tooth is sensitive. If you feel anxious, tell us at the start. We go at a pace that suits you.

Related treatments

Appointments and questions: +30 210 6743342 · [email protected]

The information on this page is general and does not replace an examination. The right treatment for you is decided after a clinical examination.

Appointments and questions: +30 210 6743342 · [email protected]