White fillings blend seamlessly with your natural teeth so are not visible when you laugh and smile
What are white fillings made from?
A white or composite filling is made of a mixture of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.
Are white fillings as good as silver amalgam fillings?
Due to recent advances in dental materials it is now possible to use white filings to restore nearly any tooth in your mouth. The life expectancy of your filling will depend on where it is positioned in your mouth and how strong your bite is. The dental team will be able to advise you on the life expectancy of your filling prior to treatment.
Should I replace silver amalgam fillings with white fillings?
It is normally advised that amalgam fillings are only changed when the old fillings need replacing, at this point you can ask to have it replaced with a white filling
How does the dentist create a white filling?
The dentist will first numb your tooth using a local anaesthetic to ensure that you will experience no discomfort. The dentist will then remove the decayed part of the tooth and will then apply the composite in layers, using a bright light to harden each layer in turn. Once this process is complete the dentist will shape the filling so that it matches the contour of your tooth and will check to make sure that it sits properly within your bite. The filling will then be polished to prevent staining.
Benefits of white fillings
- They are tooth coloured – this may sound obvious, but it means that once in your mouth, no one will be able to notice white fillings as they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
- White fillings are immediately strong – white fillings are usually light cured, which is where a bright blue light is used to harden the composite mixture and set it. This means that you will be able to eat and drink as normal as soon as the anaesthetic wears off.
- White fillings are bonded to your tooth – white fillings can be bonded or glued to your tooth and this means once applied the tooth will often be stronger than they were before. The bond also provides a tight seal preventing bacterial leakage.
- Less healthy tooth is removed – this means that there is less chance of the tooth fracturing or chipping and ensures you retain as much as possible of your healthy, natural teeth.
White fillings are not affected by temperature changes – White fillings are not affected by any of the temperature changes so can ensure that your teeth stay strong.