White Fillings
Look in the mirror. Open wide.
Would you prefer to see silver fillings … or tooth coloured?
A white filling, or tooth coloured filling is used to restore a tooth after part of it has been lost due to either decay or accidental damage.
Using tooth coloured materials gives a pleasing aesthetic finish as it is as close to your natural tooth shade as possible. The alternative restoration material is the traditional filling material, Amalgam (silver, grey in colour, contains mercury).
More and more people are choosing tooth coloured fillings because of the great aesthetic results.
What is involved in having a white filling?
It is a very similar process to having an amalgam (silver coloured) filling. You will have the area numbed with local anaesthetic before the tooth is prepared (eg removing decay or old fillings, sometimes weakened parts of the tooth are also removed at this stage).
Once the tooth has been prepared a filling material to match your tooth shade as closely as possible will be placed. A curing light (very small, hand held light) is used to set the filling. The filling is then finished to a high standard by trimming/filing and polishing so it fits with your bite, as if it was a whole natural tooth.
Should I wait to until I need a filling replaced to change from amalgam to a white filling?
There are no reasons why you should. However, speak to your Dentist who will advise you individually about how and when to do this. They will ensure that your dental health comes first but will work with you to achieve the smile you want.
THINK AHEAD: White fillings and teeth whitening.
The shade of your tooth coloured filling is matched to your current tooth shade. So, if you are having a tooth coloured filling placed, be sure to have teeth whitening first and then the filling can be matched to your new shade.
