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Posts Tagged ‘amalgam fillings’

The Difference Between Amalgam and White Fillings

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

Today, white fillings are very common, but in years gone by, the main treatment options for cavities was mercury amalgam fillings. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we offer a replacement filling service for metal fillings in addition to offering new white fillings. If you’d like to replace an old mercury filling or you have a cavity in need of filling, call today and book your appointment.

What is the difference between white and amalgam fillings?

Mercury amalgam used to be the filling material of choice before advances in technology made it possible to create aesthetically-pleasing, safe modern materials. Amalgam fillings are made of a mixture of metals, including mercury, and they are used to fill cavities and treat decay. Today, mercury amalgam fillings are much less popular than they used to be and many people choose to have white fillings. Although mercury amalgam filling are still approved for use in the UK, some people have concerns about the safety of using mercury.

White fillings are made from dental composite and resins and they offer a discreet, safe and environmentally friendly alternative to metal fillings. Dental composite is a versatile dental material that is soft at room temperature and hardens when exposed to light. It comes in a range of shades to match the natural colour of the tooth. With white fillings, you can’t tell the difference between the tooth and the filling and this means that you can enjoy restorative benefits without any negative impact on the aesthetic of your smile. Your Liverpool Dental Spa dentist will select the closest shade match to your tooth and within an hour, treatment will be complete.

Why would I need a filling?

Fillings are used to treat cavities. These are holes that form in the tooth surface. When the enamel has been penetrated, there is a risk of infection spreading through the tooth and a filling helps to prevent this from happening. Your tooth will also feel stronger once it has been filled. We recommend white fillings because they look natural and they are made from safe, durable materials. If you have old filings, we will be happy to replace them with new fillings. Simply call us or visit the website to make an online enquiry.

Snow-White Fillings in Time for Christmas in the Heart of Liverpool

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

Christmas is a time for beaming from ear to ear and soaking up the festive spirit. If you’re dreaming of a snow-white smile this Christmas, now is the perfect time to book in for natural looking, discreet fillings. Whether you need a new filling or you’d like to replace an old metal filling, we can help.

About white fillings

White fillings are commonly used to treat decay. They fill cavities, which are small holes in the tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of the tooth. White fillings are made from dental composite and they are designed to match the shade of the tooth very closely. This enables you to have the restorative treatment you need without any negative impact on the look of your smile.

Dental composite is a putty-like material, and can also be used to repair chips and improve the aesthetic of misshapen teeth. When in its soft form, it can be shaped to fit the cavity. After this stage of treatment is complete, your dentist will set the filling using a curing light. Once the composite is firm, the tooth will be stronger and the filling should last for several years. We will check your filling every time you have a routine check-up.

Why are white fillings better than mercury amalgam fillings?

White fillings are very discreet and it’s very hard to detect them. In contrast, metal fillings are much more noticeable and they can detract from the beauty of the smile. Some people also have concerns about health and safety issues connected to mercury fillings and although they are approved for use in the UK, white fillings are considered a safer option. In the past, white fillings were not strong enough for some teeth, but advances in material design now mean that most teeth can be filled using dental composite.

Patients In Liverpool Learn About White Fillings And Amalgam Fillings

Friday, November 30th, 2012

Traditionally metal amalgam fillings were used to restore decayed teeth. However these could be easily spotted in the mouth and give an unpleasant look to the mouth area. Also, amalgam fillings were found to create dental toxicity which caused some unexplained symptoms and diseases. When it comes to white fillings the teeth stay protected without the need to be exposed to mercury toxicity. It also helps retain the healthy and natural looking smile.

When acids from plaque and bacteria successfully remove the enamel from the surface of the teeth and moves into the dentin material of the tooth, the tooth begins to decay. Once the bacterium passes the dentin, it will enter the dental chamber and attack the pulp. Once the dental pulp gets infected the tooth becomes technically dead and the patient would require a root canal treatment.  However with the help of white fillings the teeth can be sealed to avoid damage.

Advantage and Disadvantage

While amalgam fillings are strong and can easily withstand the pressure from chewing, they do not bond with the tooth as well as the white fillings do.  Because white fillings bond well with the tooth, they add to the strength of the tooth as well. Once white fillings are put in place they will be cured with heat to stay strong.

In comparison to Amalgam fillings, White fillings require less drilling, as the dentist will not really need to shape the teeth to hold the filling. This allows the dentist to save a lot more of the healthy teeth.

White fillings are great especially when it comes to the aesthetics. They blend very well with the colour of the teeth and therefore avoid undesired attention to the mouth area. Many people who opt for amalgam filling tend to restrain their smile to hide the fillings. This behaviour can easily affect their self-esteem negatively and cause long term problems. If you would like more information about white fillings, please contact Liverpool Dental Spa and speak to a member of the team today.

 

 

 

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6 Dentistry Awards!

Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team
  • > 2008 Best Dental Practice

Finalists for North West Awards

  • > 2009 Best Practice
  • > 2008 Best Dental Team

Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern