All 16 Clinics that provide Fillings in Reading

Dental fillings are used to make small repairs to teeth that have been damaged due to tooth decay or fracture. They are normally relatively simple and inexpensive. For this reason very few (if any) people travel abroad for fillings.

However, fillings are often necessary as part of larger work, or the dentist may discover  they are necessary and it often make sense to get  fillings  done at the same time as other work.

What is a Dental Filling or Inlay?

A filling is simply a material that is placed into a cavity in a tooth. The filling helps to protect against further decay and strengthens the tooth.
You might need a filling if:

• There is minor decay or a tooth
• You  have a small fracture in a tooth
• If you have a metal/amalgam filling that you want replaced with more natural looking filling
• Composite filling are often used for purely cosmetic purposes in cosmetic bonding

Things to look out for are

• Composite fillings are more expensive that amalgams
• Not all dentists are trained in composite fillings
• Amalgam filling contain mercury which is released to the atmosphere after death (if incinerated)
• There are some, although unproven long term  health concerns associated with amalgam fillings

What is the procedure like?

Once the dentist has isolated and anesthetised the damaged area of the tooth, he will remove the decay with a drill or laser and cleanse the area of bacteria. The resulting cavity is roughed so that the resin will bond. It is then filled with an amalgam, composite or porcelain filling. In the case of composite fillings, the resin is applied in layers and hardened with a special light. Once the final layers have been applied the filling will be adjusted and polished.

What different types exist?

Amalgam – These are commonly referred to as metal fillings and can be quite visible. They contain mercury and although there have been ongoing questions about their long term safety there is no proof that they are a health hazard. However, it is becoming common for amalgam fillings to be replaced by composite fillings. Amalgam fillings have a lifespan of roughly 12 years

Composite/PorcelainComposite fillings can be made to match the coloration of your teeth. They are most costly and require specialized equipment and take longer to do.  More of the natural tooth can be preserved with composite fillings as the resin can be bonded in thin layers. Note that not all dentists can perform composite fillings.  Composite fillings have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

Inlays – If a large portion of you tooth is missing but a crown is not required then an inlay might be a good option.  An inlay involves a fabricated filling that is inserted between the cusps of a tooth – they can be made of gold, porcelain or resin. Inlays are considerably more expensive than fillings; however they are normally a replacement for a crown rather than a filling.

What affects the price?

• The dentist selected
• The position of the filling
• The number of tooth surfaces the filling has
• The number of fillings required
• The type of fillings and in the case of inlays the material used

Price Comparison (Amalgam)

Price lists should always be viewed with caution as many factors can increase or decrease the resulting price. The follow table gives some indicative costs for fillings across the world. Composite fillings tend to be twice the price of amalgam.

Dentistry in the UK

The UK has some of the world's longest established medical and dental organizations. It has played a central role in shaping the ethical and scientific face of modern dental practice. Dentists are monitored by the Dental Practice Board. The board carrys out checks on the standard of dentistry through patient questionaires and clinic visits. Record keeping and the correct charging of fees are also monitored. Dentists opperating within entirely private practices (about 5% of dentists) are not subject to these monitoring processes. Dental practices offering general anaesthesia or using laser treatments are monitored by the HealthCare Commission, which produces extremely detailed reports on all aspects of the dental clinic's operations.

While NHS dental treatment is great for the continuing health of your teeth, it does not concentrate on the cosmetic aspects of dental care. If you want your teeth to look good as well as being healthy you may need specialist treatments which are unavailable on the NHS. The UK has nine recognised specialties and each specialty will have additional specialization in specific procedures such as implantology (implant's for the replacement of missing teeth). A large number of continuing training options are available in the UK providing professional development and postgraduate dental courses at the highest levels.

Information about Reading

Reading has a population of over 143,000 people. It was a Danish encampment way back AD 871. King Henry III in 1253 is the one who gave it a town charter. That charter was confirmed by succeeding sovereigns. The Reading School was founded in 1125, and is the tenth oldest school in England. It is based in Victorian buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse on Erleigh Road. The University of Reading was established in 1892 as an affiliate of Oxford University, and moved to its London Road Campus in 1904. It was chartered as an independent university in 1926 and moved onto its new Whiteknights Campus in 1947.
The principal National Health Service (NHS) hospital in Reading is the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust runs a NHS hospital, Prospect Park Hospital, that specialises in the provision of care for people with mental health and learning disabilities. The city also served by two private hospitals, the Berkshire Independent Hospital in Coley Park and the Dunedin Hospital situated on the main A4 Bath Road.

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The biggest choice of fillings clinics in Reading with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best fillings for you in Reading.