Tooth Filling in Clapham: White Fillings, Prices and What to Expect
Reviewed by Dr Maciej Skorski (GDC 238390), Dentist at SW11 Medical Clinic, Clapham Junction
Published: July 2026
A filling is the most common dental treatment in the UK — and one of the most misunderstood. Many patients still associate fillings with dark metal, painful drilling and dread, when modern reality is quick, comfortable and virtually invisible. If you need a tooth filling in Clapham, SW11 Medical Clinic offers natural-looking white composite fillings at one of the best prices in South London: currently three white fillings for £280 — a 20% saving — at our practice two minutes from Clapham Junction station. Here is everything you need to know before you book.
What Is a Tooth Filling?
A filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay, wear or a small fracture. Your dentist removes the decayed or weakened part of the tooth and fills the cavity with a durable material that restores the tooth’s shape, strength and function — stopping the decay from spreading deeper towards the nerve.
The main choice today is between materials. White composite fillings are made of a tooth-coloured resin that is bonded directly to your tooth, matched to its exact shade and sculpted to reproduce its natural contours. Because composite bonds to the tooth, the dentist can be more conservative, removing less healthy tooth structure. Amalgam (silver) fillings, the traditional grey metal option, are strong but visually obvious, require more tooth removal, and are being phased down internationally under the Minamata Convention; the EU has already banned amalgam use since 2025, and the UK is phasing it out. At SW11 Medical Clinic we place white composite fillings — modern composites are strong enough for back teeth, and virtually all our Clapham patients prefer a repair nobody can see.
For very large cavities, a filling may no longer be enough, and options such as onlays or crowns (from £850) protect the tooth better — another reason to treat decay while it is still small.
Who Needs a Filling?
You likely need a filling if you have toothache or twinges with sweet, hot or cold foods, a visible hole or dark spot on a tooth, food constantly trapping in one place, a rough edge your tongue keeps finding, or a lost or cracked existing filling. However, the most important group is people with no symptoms at all: early decay is usually painless, and small cavities are most often found at routine check-ups or on X-rays. A cavity caught at this stage needs a simple filling; the same cavity left until it hurts often needs root canal treatment (from £395) instead.
Old amalgam fillings are another common reason patients visit us — some want them replaced for cosmetic reasons, others because the filling is cracked or leaking. We assess each old filling on its merits: sound amalgams can be left alone, but failing ones are best replaced before they let decay in underneath.
Getting a Filling at SW11 Medical Clinic: Step by Step
Step 1 — Examination and diagnosis. We confirm the extent of the decay, taking a small digital X-ray if it lies between the teeth, and agree the plan and fixed price with you before starting.
Step 2 — Numbing. The area is fully numbed with modern local anaesthetic, applied after a numbing gel so even the injection is comfortable. Nervous patients are looked after at their pace — we treat anxious patients every day.
Step 3 — Removing the decay. The decayed tissue is removed and the cavity cleaned and shaped, preserving as much healthy tooth as possible.
Step 4 — Placing the composite. The tooth is prepared with a bonding agent, and composite is placed in thin layers, each hardened with a blue curing light. Dr Skorski or Dr Donkov sculpts the final layer to match your tooth’s natural anatomy and shade.
Step 5 — Bite check and polish. We check your bite is perfectly comfortable and polish the filling to a smooth, natural lustre. Most fillings take 20–40 minutes, and the tooth can be used as soon as the numbness wears off.
Tooth Filling Cost Comparison in London
| Provider | White Composite Filling |
|---|---|
| Harley Street practices | £250–£450 per filling |
| Central London average | £150–£300 per filling |
| NHS Band 2 | £75.30 (covers the course of treatment) — but new NHS patient access in South London is very limited, and white fillings on back teeth are often not available on the NHS |
| SW11 Medical Clinic, Clapham | 3 white fillings for £280 (20% off) — about £93 per filling |
At roughly £93 per filling with our current offer, SW11 Medical Clinic patients pay a fraction of Central London prices for the same tooth-coloured materials — and unlike the NHS, white composite is our standard for every tooth, front or back, with appointments available within days rather than months.
Results: How Long Do Fillings Last?
A well-placed composite filling restores full chewing function immediately and is indistinguishable from natural tooth. With good oral hygiene, composite fillings typically last seven to ten years or more, and small ones often considerably longer. Longevity depends on the size of the filling, your bite forces (night grinders should consider a night guard), and how well plaque is controlled around the margins. Mild temperature sensitivity for a few days after a deep filling is normal and settles as the tooth calms down. We check every filling at your routine examinations, so small issues at the edges can be repaired or polished long before the filling fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a tooth filling in Clapham?
At SW11 Medical Clinic, white composite fillings are currently 3 for £280 — around £93 per filling, a 20% saving on our standard price. Equivalent white fillings cost £150–£300 in most of Central London and £250–£450 around Harley Street.
Does getting a filling hurt?
No. The tooth is fully numbed before any drilling begins, and most patients feel nothing beyond gentle vibration. Numbness wears off within a couple of hours, and any post-treatment tenderness is mild and short-lived. If dental anxiety is holding you back, tell us when booking — we are experienced in treating nervous patients gently.
Are white fillings as strong as silver (amalgam) fillings?
Modern composites are strong enough for back teeth and have the added advantage of bonding to the tooth, which supports the remaining structure. Amalgam is being phased out internationally, and composite is now the standard of care for most cavities. For very large cavities, we may recommend an onlay or crown for maximum strength.
Can I get a white filling on the NHS in Clapham?
On the NHS, white fillings are typically provided only on front teeth; back teeth usually receive amalgam where it is still used. In practice, few Clapham practices are accepting new NHS patients at all. Privately at SW11, every filling is tooth-coloured and appointments are usually available the same week.
What happens if I put off getting a filling?
Decay never stops on its own. A small cavity that needs a £93 filling today can reach the nerve within months to a couple of years, at which point the tooth needs root canal treatment (from £395) and often a crown (from £850) — or extraction. Early treatment is quicker, cheaper and keeps more of your natural tooth.
Caught a twinge, spotted a dark spot, or lost a filling? Sort it this week — not next year. Book your filling appointment at SW11 Medical Clinic today. Call 020 7585 2276 or book online. We are located at 45 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5QW, two minutes’ walk from Clapham Junction station.
SW11 Medical Clinic — Private dental and medical care in the heart of Clapham.