dental negligence solicitors

The Leading Specialist Dental Negligence Solicitors in the UK

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dental negligence solicitors
The Leading Specialist Dental Negligence Solicitors in the UK
0808 256 6482
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dental negligence solicitors dental negligence solicitors
The Leading Specialist Dental Negligence Solicitors in the UK
0808 301 4002
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Start Your Claim
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  • Dental Negligence Claims
    • The Claims Process
      • Unhappy with Dental Treatment
      • Dental Complaints
      • Guide to Dentist Mistakes
      • Guide to Changing Your Dentist
      • How to prove dental negligence
    • Types of Dental Negligence Claim
      • Injury
      • Failure to obtain patient consent
      • Failure to diagnose
      • Failure to treat
    • Types of Dental Injury Claim
      • Tooth Nerve damage
        • Nerve damage after tooth extraction
        • Nerve damage after dental work & surgery
        • Nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal
        • Nerve damage after dental injection
        • Lingual nerve damage
        • Nerve inflammation after tooth extraction
        • Nerve damage after dental implant
        • Nerve damage after root canal
      • Cosmetic Dentistry Claims
        • Cosmetic bonding
        • Smile makeovers
        • Dental implants
          • Failed Dental Implants
        • Dentures
        • Gum Contouring
        • Braces
        • Veneers
          • Veneers gone wrong
      • Tooth decay
      • Tooth extractions
      • Fillings
      • Cavity Fillings
      • Gum disease
        • Periodontal Disease
      • Oral cancer
      • Restorative Dentistry
        • Crowns
        • Bridges
        • Root canal
          • Failed root canal
      • Wisdom teeth
      • Pain after dental work
        • Jaw pain after dental work
        • Headaches after dental work
      • Infections after dental work
        • Lip Infection After Dental Work
      • Compensation for wrong tooth extraction
      • Jaw fracture dental negligence claims
    • Dental Negligence FAQs
  • Why Choose Us?
    • Case Reports
    • Client Stories
    • Testimonials
  • About Us
    • Our People
  • Contact
    • Solicitor Referral
    • Online Claim Form
  • News
    • Resources
  • The Claims Process
    • Unhappy with Dental Treatment
    • Dental Complaints
    • Guide to Dentist Mistakes
    • Guide to Changing Your Dentist
    • How to prove dental negligence
  • Types of Dental Negligence Claim
    • Injury
    • Failure to obtain patient consent
    • Failure to diagnose
    • Failure to treat
  • Types of Dental Injury Claim
    • Tooth Nerve damage
      • Nerve damage after tooth extraction
      • Nerve damage after dental work & surgery
      • Nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal
      • Nerve damage after dental injection
      • Lingual nerve damage
      • Nerve inflammation after tooth extraction
      • Nerve damage after dental implant
      • Nerve damage after root canal
    • Cosmetic Dentistry Claims
      • Cosmetic bonding
      • Smile makeovers
      • Dental implants
        • Failed Dental Implants
      • Dentures
      • Gum Contouring
      • Braces
      • Veneers
        • Veneers gone wrong
    • Tooth decay
    • Tooth extractions
    • Fillings
    • Cavity Fillings
    • Gum disease
      • Periodontal Disease
    • Oral cancer
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Crowns
      • Bridges
      • Root canal
        • Failed root canal
    • Wisdom teeth
    • Pain after dental work
      • Jaw pain after dental work
      • Headaches after dental work
    • Infections after dental work
      • Lip Infection After Dental Work
    • Compensation for wrong tooth extraction
    • Jaw fracture dental negligence claims
  • Dental Negligence FAQs

Cavity Fillings

What is a tooth cavity filling?

Fillings are a restorative dental treatment, used when a tooth has been damaged or has decayed. They are called cavity fillings because the procedure involves removing the decay or the damaged area of a tooth, which leaves behind a hole – or cavity – that needs to be filled to protect the rest of the tooth.

The tooth cavity filling process

A tooth cavity filling treatment will start with you being given local anaesthetic to numb your mouth so that you don’t experience any pain during the procedure. This anaesthetic is usually administered with a needle, directly into the gum in the affected area. It generally takes just a few minutes to take effect.

The decayed or damaged area of the tooth is then removed, usually with a dental drill, to make sure that no bacteria remains. The filling is then placed into the cavity. For amalgam fillings, the process usually takes just minutes to complete. For white fillings, where separate layers of filling material are added in stages, the cavity filling time may be significantly longer.

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More about cavity fillings….

What colour are cavity fillings?
If you are getting treated under the NHS, your dentist will offer the type of filling that they believe is clinically needed for your individual circumstances. You will generally receive a filling made from amalgam (silver coloured), although may be offered a ‘tooth-coloured’ composite if it’s a front tooth cavity filling. If you choose private dental treatment, you can opt for a white cavity filling, which are usually a little more expensive.

Potential problems or risks with tooth cavity fillings
Whilst most fillings are carried out with no problems at all, if your dentist performs the procedure poorly, there are a number of potential issues that may result.

Whilst it’s normal to notice mild sensitivity after a cavity filling treatment, for a day or two afterwards at most, this sensitivity should disappear on its own. If the problem doesn’t go away after a few days or gets worse, it could be a sign that there is another issue that needs further treatment.

If the bacteria in the affected tooth was not all removed before the filling was placed, this can result in an infection or in the filling failing and falling out. If you do have an infection, you will sometimes notice pain in the area, along with a swollen and pus-filled cavity. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important that you go and see a dentist as soon as possible. If your dentist failed to carry out the procedure properly, and you have suffered as a result of this, you may be able to claim compensation for what has happened to you. Contact us for more information and to find out if you have a claim for a bad cavity filling and any resulting injury.


Can cavity fillings come out?
Fillings can sometimes come out and there may be several different reasons for this. A newly placed filling may come out if it hasn’t had time to harden properly before the patient next eats. A filling could also come out if the tooth that is filled decays further or is damaged in another way, and the filling no longer has a solid foundation. Losing a filling doesn’t necessarily mean that your dentist was at fault when the procedure was carried out, but a filling that wasn’t done to a good standard in the first place will have a greater chance of failing. If you think that your dentist let you down and you have suffered as a result, get in touch with us to discuss your options.

What is the cost of filling a cavity?

The tooth filling price will depend on several different factors. If your treatment is done on the NHS, the cost of a filling falls under Band 2 treatment. You can find out the current costs of each band of NHS treatment, and what procedures are included in the bands, by clicking here.

If you have a cavity filled by a private dentist, the cost will vary, depending on what that specific dentist or practice charges, and what type of filling it is. Your dentist should discuss the cost of treatment with you before going ahead with a filling procedure.


Can you have wisdom tooth cavity fillings?
If you have a wisdom tooth that is not causing you any problems other than requiring a filling, it’s likely that your dentist will recommend a cavity filling for that tooth, as they would for any of your other teeth. However, depending on the individual situation for that specific tooth, a filling may not be the best long-term treatment option for you and a repair might not be possible. Your dentist should discuss the treatment plan that they recommend for your wisdom tooth with you so that you understand the options and any risks involved.

You can contact us for a free claim assessment and to discuss your options

0808 252 5331

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a deep cavity be filled?

Filling a large cavity is not necessarily a problem, depending on the specific tooth involved. For some teeth, a large cavity may mean that the remaining part of the tooth is weakened and filling it is unlikely to solve the problem. If the part of the tooth that remains is strong enough to support a filling, this may be the best option for you. Your dentist should discuss your treatment plan in detail with you before commencing treatment, to make sure that you understand the procedure and any potential risks involved or other options that may be available to you.

If your dentist doesn’t fully explain the treatment they are suggesting, or let you know of any risks before they start a procedure, this could be a form of dental negligence, known as failure to obtain consent. If your dentist carries out treatment without your consent, you may be able to make a claim against them. Contact us for more information.

Can I eat after filling a cavity?

It’s usually recommended to wait several hours after a filling procedure has been finished before eating again. Firstly, eating whilst part of your mouth is still numb from the treatment can mean that you unknowingly bite your cheek or tongue, or it could mean that you burn your mouth on hot food or drinks without realising. Secondly, eating hard foods before the filling is properly set can cause it to fail. Most dentists recommend that you chew on the other side of your mouth for at least the first 24 hours after the procedure and to avoid hot drinks until your mouth regains full feeling after the local anaesthetic.

Can you get cavities filled with braces on?

If you have fixed braces on your teeth and need a filling, your dentist will discuss with you whether the procedure can be carried out without removing your braces. This will depend mainly on which tooth requires filling and the position of that tooth. Speak to your dentist if you’re unsure whether your braces may need to be removed temporarily for a filling procedure to be carried out.

Can I get a cavity filled while pregnant?

It will depend on your circumstances as to whether you should get any new or replacement fillings whilst you are pregnant. It’s generally recommended that amalgam fillings should not be removed during pregnancy, but you should speak to your dentist as they will be able to offer advice and a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific circumstances.

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Testimonials

Mr M North West – 17/01/2020

“All that remains is for me to thank you for your kind words, for your continued efforts, for providing complete transparency and clarity when required, and also for your patience. I wish you nothing but the best going forwards.”

Mr S, East Yorkshire – 20/12/2019

I just wanted to say a big thank you to you, and your colleagues at Dental Law, for all your hard work in pursuing my claim. I was very pleased with the outcome. Every aspect of the case was handled with the upmost professionalism and clear advice throughout. The advice on liability and quantum was right on the mark. I would not hesitate in recommending Dental Law.

Mrs M, South East – 12/12/2019

“I would highly recommend the DLP to others seeking help with dental negligence, for providing excellent advice and clear communication throughout the process, and from a personal point of view making what felt like a daunting prospect at the outset straightforward to understand.”

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Client Stories

Compensation received: £8,000

      • A woman from the east of England suffered an avoidable period of pain and suffering as a result of infection and suffered an avoidable repeat root canal treatment. • Ms C lost a tooth and will lose another tooth in the future. • £8,000 awarded in compensation Between 2011 to 2013 […]

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Compensation received: £5,000 out of court settlement

• Ms R experienced severe episode of pain and sensitivity • An infection in her tooth was left to spread which eventually led to its avoidable extraction • £5,000 awarded in compensation Ms R suffered multiple episodes of pain when her dentist failed to perform a root canal treatment properly, this meant many trips to […]

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Compensation received: £4,000 out of court settlement

• A man in his 30’s from The North East will lose a tooth after his dentists failed to spot and treat decay. • A piece of dental equipment had been left in his tooth after a root canal treatment, this caused him intense pain and he was unable to chew. • £4000 awarded in […]

Read More

View all client stories

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Dental Law Partnership
  • Dental Negligence Claims
    • The Claims Process
      • Unhappy with Dental Treatment
      • Dental Complaints
      • Guide to Dentist Mistakes
      • Guide to Changing Your Dentist
      • How to prove dental negligence
    • Types of Dental Negligence Claim
      • Injury
      • Failure to obtain patient consent
      • Failure to diagnose
      • Failure to treat
    • Types of Dental Injury Claim
      • Tooth Nerve damage
        • Nerve damage after tooth extraction
        • Nerve damage after dental work & surgery
        • Nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal
        • Nerve damage after dental injection
        • Lingual nerve damage
        • Nerve inflammation after tooth extraction
        • Nerve damage after dental implant
        • Nerve damage after root canal
      • Cosmetic Dentistry Claims
        • Cosmetic bonding
        • Smile makeovers
        • Dental implants
          • Failed Dental Implants
        • Dentures
        • Gum Contouring
        • Braces
        • Veneers
          • Veneers gone wrong
      • Tooth decay
      • Tooth extractions
      • Fillings
      • Cavity Fillings
      • Gum disease
        • Periodontal Disease
      • Oral cancer
      • Restorative Dentistry
        • Crowns
        • Bridges
        • Root canal
          • Failed root canal
      • Wisdom teeth
      • Pain after dental work
        • Jaw pain after dental work
        • Headaches after dental work
      • Infections after dental work
        • Lip Infection After Dental Work
      • Compensation for wrong tooth extraction
      • Jaw fracture dental negligence claims
    • Dental Negligence FAQs
  • Why Choose Us?
    • Case Reports
    • Client Stories
    • Testimonials
  • About Us
    • Our People
  • Contact
    • Solicitor Referral
    • Online Claim Form
  • News
    • Resources
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