Until fairly recently, patients who had decayed teeth were provided with fillings made from silver amalgam. These fillings were made from a mixture of metals such as mercury. Now, many patients opt for white fillings, which are made from dental composite, glass ionmers and resins for a more natural look.
We place new white fillings to treat tooth decay, and we can also replace amalgam fillings with white fillings for those who would prefer a more aesthetically pleasing restoration.
What are the benefits of white fillings?
White fillings are designed to match your natural tooth shade and this means that they are invisible once they are in place. They don’t impair the look of your smile and they help to make your tooth stronger and resistant to infection in the future. White fillings are also safer and more environmentally friendly than amalgam fillings, as concerns have been raised about problems with toxicity associated with mercury. Silver fillings are highly visible when you open your mouth and although they are strong and durable, modern materials used for fillings are almost as hard-wearing and a white filling should last around 7-10 years.
What happens when you have a filling?
When you have a filling, the tooth is prepared and then filling material is placed inside the cavity. The preparation stage involves removing any decayed tissue from the cavity and then cleaning the tooth to get rid of any harmful bacteria.
Once the cavity is clean, bonding material is placed inside the hole to help the composite to adhere. The dental composite is then poured into the cavity and shaped. At this stage, it is like putty in texture and can be moulded to fit the cavity. The composite is then set firm using a powerful curing light and then any final trimming is carried out to ensure a comfortable fit.
