Dr. Ming Hon Chim
Registered Dentist
BDS (HK), MFDS RCSEd, MFDS RCPS (Glasg)
Speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Tooth Fillings
A tooth filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay, a small chip or wear: your dentist removes the damaged part and fills it with a tooth-coloured material. Bayside Dental Tung Chung is a mercury-free clinic and mainly uses composite resin. One filling usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Table of Contents
Tooth Fillings in 30 Seconds
- What it is: Your dentist removes decayed or damaged tooth tissue and fills the space with a tooth-coloured material, restoring the tooth’s shape and bite.
- Time: Usually 30 to 60 minutes per tooth; a ceramic inlay is made by a dental laboratory, so it takes longer.
- Materials: We are a mercury-free clinic and don’t use silver amalgam. We mainly use composite resin, with glass ionomer or ceramic inlays where suitable.
- Comfort: Usually done under local anaesthetic, so most people feel only slight pressure. Numbness wears off in about 1 to 2 hours.
- Reference fees: The Prince Philip Dental Hospital fee schedule lists HK$900–3,000 for a composite filling and HK$900–1,500 for glass ionomer. For reference only, not our clinic’s actual fees; your actual fee is confirmed after an examination.
- Booking: We’re at Shop 26, Caribbean Square, Tung Chung, open weekdays and weekend mornings (closed on public holidays). Call +852 2185 6550 or book online.
Our Professional Dental Team
Dr. Selina Chhabra Rampal
Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry
FCDSHK (Paed Dent), FHKAM (Dental Surgery)
BDS (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India), MDS (Paed Dent) (HK)
MPaed Dent RCSEd, MPaed Dent RCS (Eng)
Speaks English, Hindi
Dr. Purvi Ankit Gohil
Registered Dentist
BDS (Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India)
Speaks English, Hindi
Dr. Lim, Clarise Xin Yi
Registered Dentist
BDS (Malaya)
Speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay
What Is a Tooth Filling?
A dental filling is a treatment designed to restore a tooth that has been compromised by decay or wear. It works by sealing the tooth to prevent further damage and restore its function. Imagine it as repairing a small defect early on, before it escalates into a more serious issue.
When Do You Need a Filling?
You may require a filling if you are experiencing any of the following:
- A cavity (tooth decay resulting from bacterial activity).
- A minor chip in a tooth.
- An existing filling that is loose, damaged, or worn.
- Enamel erosion due to teeth grinding, acidic foods and drinks, or natural aging.
Addressing these problems early is important. Delaying treatment can lead to increased pain, risk of infection, or the need for more complex procedures such as a root canal. If too little of the tooth is left to hold a filling, your dentist may suggest a crown instead.
The Simple, Comfortable Filling Process
First, your dentist examines the tooth and, if needed, takes an X-ray to see how deep and how wide the decay is, then explains the recommended material and expected cost. The filling itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 1: Numbing the Area
Your dentist applies a numbing gel, then gives a local anaesthetic, which usually takes effect within a few minutes. After that, most people feel only slight pressure or vibration. Very shallow cavities sometimes don’t need numbing at all.
Step 2: Removing Decay
The decayed portion of the tooth is gently and thoroughly removed. If the cavity is deep, a protective lining may be placed at the base first to protect the nerve.
Step 3: Placing the Filling
We practise mercury-free dentistry and do not use silver amalgam. Most fillings are tooth-coloured composite resin, applied in layers and hardened with a blue curing light. Glass ionomer is used case by case. A larger repair may call for a ceramic inlay, which is made by a dental laboratory and takes longer.
Step 4: Polishing & Adjusting
The filling is polished and adjusted for a comfortable bite and a natural appearance.
Cost of Tooth Fillings
The cost of a tooth filling is not fixed and mainly depends on the following factors:
- Size and depth of the cavity: A minor surface cavity requires different materials and treatment time compared to one affecting deeper tissue.
- Choice of filling material: Different materials vary in durability and appearance, which affects the cost.
- Location of the affected tooth: Back teeth (molars) bear greater chewing pressure, so the restoration considerations may differ from front teeth.
The actual fee will be confirmed after an assessment by a professional dentist.
For reference prices by material and what drives the difference, see tooth filling costs, materials and procedure.
Aftercare Tips for Tooth Fillings
- You may still feel some numbness for 1–2 hours after the procedure — avoid biting your lip or tongue, and avoid very hot food or drinks.
- Mild sensitivity to hot and cold is normal at first and usually fades within a few days. If it lasts, gets worse or hurts when you bite, come back for a check.
- Keep up your normal brushing and flossing routine to help your filling last longer.
- Check-ups every 6 to 12 months let your dentist look at the edges of your fillings for any new decay.
Want to learn more about why fillings are needed, the procedure, material options, and cost considerations first? Feel free to read our Tooth Fillings Guide before booking, for extra peace of mind.
How to Book Your Tooth Filling
If you suspect you have a cavity, or an old filling needs replacing, feel free to book a check-up. Our professional dental team will assess your tooth in detail and arrange suitable treatment.
Booking is simple: use the buttons below to WhatsApp us, call or book online. Bayside Dental Tung Chung is at Shop 26, Caribbean Square, 1 Kin Tung Road, Tung Chung. We’re also open on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which helps if weekdays are taken up by work or school, and our team speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin and other languages.
When you book, let us know whether you think you have a cavity, an old filling has come loose or a tooth has chipped, so we can set aside the right amount of time. For severe toothache or swelling, see our emergency dentist page and contact us as soon as you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a tooth filling in Tung Chung?
Call +852 2185 6550, send us a WhatsApp message, or book online. We’re at Shop 26, Caribbean Square, 1 Kin Tung Road, Tung Chung, open Monday to Friday and on weekend mornings (closed on public holidays). Tell us when booking whether it’s a suspected cavity, a loose old filling or a chipped tooth, so we can allow the right time.
Can I have a check-up and a filling in the same appointment?
Your dentist will examine the tooth first. If the cavity is small and the appointment time allows, it may be filled on the spot; otherwise we’ll book a separate visit for the filling. A single filling usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Deeper decay that needs an X-ray to assess, or a ceramic inlay made by a dental laboratory, will need another appointment. Mention it when you book so we can plan your visit.
My filling feels uneven when I bite down. What should I do?
Call or WhatsApp us to arrange a review. If a filling sits slightly high, that tooth may touch first or ache when you bite, and your dentist can usually fix it by adjusting and polishing the filling. Wait until the numbness wears off (about 1 to 2 hours) before judging your bite, as it can feel different while you’re still numb.
Can children have fillings at your Tung Chung clinic?
Yes. Decay in a child’s baby teeth or adult teeth also needs a dentist’s check to decide how to treat it. Our Tung Chung team includes a registered specialist in paediatric dentistry. See Children’s Dentistry for how we look after younger patients.
Can I use Elderly Health Care Vouchers for a filling?
Most of our dentists are registered with the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme; please check with our staff when booking whether vouchers can be used for your dentist and treatment. See Patient Information for details.