While dental fillings are very safe and necessary treatment to prevent further damage to your tooth we want to ensure that you are aware of the potential risks involved in receiving composite dental fillings. These fillings, made of white resin material, can be more aesthetically pleasing than traditional materials like silver amalgam or gold. However, there are certain risks associated with this procedure, which we want to make sure you understand before proceeding.

Firstly, it is possible that we may not be able to achieve the desired or expected results. While we try our best -always, we know that sometimes a tooth can be stained from decay or a previous metal filling, irreversibly changing the enamel colour.

Additionally, there are specific risks associated with the procedure, including:

1. Sensitivity of teeth, following the preparation of your teeth for any filling, you may experience sensitivity, ranging from mild to severe. This sensitivity can last for a short period or a more extended period. If you experience persistent sensitivity, please inform our team as it could be a sign of more serious issues.

2. Risk of fracture. There is a possibility of small fracture lines in the tooth structure during the removal of previous fillings or the placement of new ones. These fractures may not be visible immediately but could appear later, leading to tooth fracture proper, or indeed sensitivity.

3. The necessity for root canal therapy. Preparation of the tooth structure for a filling may require removal of diseased or otherwise compromised tooth structure, leading to exposure or trauma to underlying pulp tissue. In some cases, root canal treatment or extraction may be required.

4. Injury to nerves. During any dental procedure, including the administration of local anaesthesia, there is a possibility of injury to the nerves of the lips, jaws, teeth, tongue or other oral or facial tissues. This can cause temporary numbness, but in rare instances, it could be permanent.

5. Aesthetics or appearance. Although we try to closely match the appearance of natural tooth colour, many factors affect the shade of teeth, making it challenging to achieve an exact match. Additionally, composite fillings' shade can change over time due to factors such as mouth fluids, foods, and smoking.

6. Breakage, dislodgement, or bond failure. Extreme chewing pressures or traumatic forces can cause composite resin fillings to become dislodged or fractured. Resin-enamel bonds can also fail, resulting in leakage and recurrent decay.

These risks also exist for the removal and replacement of existing amalgam (metal) fillings in favour of composite a much more aesthetically pleasing dental solution.

Please note that by proceeding with the composite dental filling procedure, you acknowledge and accept the above risks. At Paste we always encourage you to ask any questions you may have and to voice any concerns. We will try our best to answer any questions Our team is here to support you and ensure that you receive the best possible care.

Please note that these risks aren't exclusive to Paste Dental Belfast, but they're associated with composite dental fillings in general.

By digitally signing the estimate email, you acknowledge that you've read and understood the risks associated with composite dental fillings. You also know that you can ask any questions you have about the procedure and that you may withdraw your consent at any time.

We hope that you feel comfortable with the procedure and trust our team to take good care of you during your visit.