If you thought a filling would spell the end of your beautiful smile, think again! With our white fillings, we can restore your tooth, while also preserving its natural beauty.
What is a white filling?
White fillings are an increasingly popular alternative to fillings made from mercury amalgam. They are used to fill holes that develop in the surface of the tooth as a result of decay, known as cavities. White fillings are made from resins and dental composite and they are shade matched to the natural tooth colour to ensure that they are indistinguishable from the rest of the tooth.
Fillings are an effective means of strengthening a decayed tooth and the procedure also helps to lower the risk of decay reaching other areas.
The filling procedure
The filling procedure is relatively simple and the tooth is numbed before treatment begins, so you don’t need to worry about feeling any pain. Before the cavity is filled, the decayed tissue is removed and the cavity is cleaned thoroughly. Once the cavity is clear, bonding agent is placed inside the hole and the composite is then poured inside. At this stage, the composite is soft and putty-like and it can be moulded to fit the shape of the cavity. Once the filling is in place, the composite is set hard using a curing light. This simply involves shining a light onto the tooth. Setting the composite takes just a few seconds and there’s no pain involved. All you have to do is pop on some goggles and relax. Once the filling has set, your dentist will then trim the edges to make sure of a perfect fit.
After you have a filling, your mouth will feel numb for a short period of time, but this will soon wear off. You can use your tooth as normal straightaway, but it may be best to avoid hot drinks until the numbness has subsided to prevent scalding your mouth.
If you would like to find out more about our natural looking, tooth-coloured fillings, call today and arrange an appointment.
