Advantages of switching from silver to white fillings

Do you have a few metal fillings in your mouth that you want to change? Do you feel self-conscious when you throw your head back and laugh?

Not to worry! If you are looking for a way to change your metal fillings for the more visually appealing composite, white or porcelain fillings, our team at the dental practice can help.

At Harley Street Dental, we have expertise in all things restorative and can easily change a metal or silver filling to white fillings Harley Street, ensuring that your smile stays looking as good as ever and without any detriment to the tooth that needs the restorative. Perfect!

But what are some of the advantages of undertaking the change from silver to white fillings Harley Street? Read on to find out!

Appearance

First things first; teeth are white, or at least a pearlescent colour.

And if you have ever had an amalgam filling or crown, you will know that visually they can be far from discreet, especially if they are located near the front of your mouth.

And so, one of the main benefits of switching from silver to white fillings Harley Street is that they will be more natural looking in appearance. Our team will be able to colour match them to the surrounding tooth structure so that when you smile, it will not be as obvious to any on-lookers.

Longevity

While many people may assume that amalgam or metal fillings will be more long lasting than porcelain or composite ones, we have found this is not the case.

With correct care, a white or porcelain filling can last for up to and over 15 years, whereas a metal one has an average lifespan of around 8.

So, better looking with better longevity!

Strength

Many people assume that a porcelain filling or crown is going to be structurally weaker than a metal one. Especially as most people have, at some point in their life, had a porcelain plate or cup smash when they have dropped it!

However, when push comes to shove (or biting leads to chewing!), porcelain or composite fillings are just as structurally sound as a metal filling. In fact, porcelain restoratives are often used to support teeth that have been treated with root canals, so they really are strong!

Minimal

With traditional metal fillings, our dentist would need to remove more of the tooth or teeth to fit the filling.

But, as a composite or porcelain filling bonds better to the tooth, there is no need for so much of the original tooth to be removed and so, fillings or crowns made from this material are minimal in their fitting.

Sensitivity

And finally, a key advantage of a composite or white filling is how it responds in the mouth. They are not as sensitive to hot beverages or icy drinks as metal fillings and so, they will not expand and contract each time you consume hot or cold beverages. This means that they are less likely to fall out or come loose and you are less likely to have decay set in underneath them.

Replacing Silver to white fillings in Harley Street

Why might a patient want to change their fillings?

silver-to-white-fillings

In the past fillings have been made from Amalgam which has elements of the toxin mercury. Whilst there is little evidence to suggest that there are negative impacts on patients’ health through the use of this material, with today’s knowledge and modern advances within the dentistry world there are safer alternatives available eliminating the risk. For patients that previously had silver fillings applied to their teeth, the switch from SIlver to white fillings in Harley Street may put their mind at ease and provide a more cosmetically appealing solution.

Replacing the fillings – the positive impact.

When considering changing previous dental work, the most important thing to consider is how will this improve your oral hygiene and overall health. Whilst there is currently no concrete link between the negative impact of the toxin mercury within fillings, this does not mean that in years to come there won’t be any. Therefore having the choice whether to keep the current fillings with the knowledge that a potentially life altering substance is used within them or having the ability to essentially upgrade to a 100% safer option is of high importance.

Whilst not life threatening or detrimental to the mouth, another positive aspect to switching from Silver to white fillings in Harley Street is on a cosmetic level. White fillings are able to blend in within the surrounding colours of the natural teeth enabling the patient to smile with confidence and a cosmetically pleasing set of teeth. In some cases, the less cosmetically pleasing, silver filling can leave a patient feeling self conscious and cause confidence issues in different aspects of their life. This is something that can be avoided and therefore seeking out options which would suit the individual best is of a top priority.

Reasons to keep the silver fillings.

There is a saying which mentions why fix something which isn’t broken. This can be considered when thinking about silver fillings. For many years Amalgam has been the material used for fillings and it has proved to be durable, long-lasting and sturdy. By removing the current silver filling and replacing it with a white one an element of damage can occur to the area and in turn trigger tooth sensitivity problems. Whilst this usually resolves itself within a few weeks there are cases which have had the problem ongoing for years.

Whilst replacing Silver to white fillings in Harley Street may be cosmetically appealing as with all treatments and procedures the removal of the fillings could potentially trigger a series of complications. This could include infections within the tooth which in turn go on to require root canal treatment or should the tooth become damaged a crown or bridge may be required creating further dental work.

As there are many factors both for and against the filling replacement it is important that the necessary research is carried out in advance. All dental treatments and procedures, including the ones mentioned in this article have a variety of potential risks. We therefore encourage all our patients to seek further information and advice from their local dental team.

Get the platinum service with silver to white fillings on Harley Street

The dental epicentre

white-flillings-harley-street

Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are proud to be providing the city of London with a standard of dentistry which is befitting of the historic street from which we operate. Harley Street is an area which has been forever synonymous with the highest standards of care and quality, and throughout our years of service we’ve striven to live up to this reputation and – through the testimonies of our numerous happy patients – we like to feel that we have managed exactly that. Over the past few years we’ve witnessed a definite change in the perception of and demand for certain dental treatments. More than ever before, a new wave of patients across the London area and beyond are turning to us for all manner of cosmetic dentistry such as silver to white fillings on Harley Street to transform their smiles and unveil their true potential.

Metal mouth

Dental fillings are a common procedure which most adults will have to endure at least once in their lifetime. They are installed in cases when the patient’s tooth has become mildly decayed or infected and it requires to be cleaned out and refilled with a specialist dental filler. The most commonly found fillings are known as silver fillings or amalgam fillings. These are constructed from a mix of mercury, silver, tin, copper and zinc. Whilst these are effective, perform their duties successfully, typically outlast composite (white) fillings and endure around 10-15 years, they are usually easily detectable within the mouth of a patient. This negative impact on people’s outward appearance has been the persuasive factor in many people seeking to change silver to white fillings on Harley Street. Another disadvantage to amalgam fillings is that they can often cause the affected tooth to become discoloured or cause a greyish hue to the surrounding teeth. This is particularly evident and detectable if the filling is on the bottom set of teeth within the mouth.

Filling in the gaps

Those who seek silver to white fillings on Harley Street generally replace amalgam fillings with white fillings which are known as composite fillings. As you may imagine, white fillings are constructed to be more subtle. As such, they blend in within your surrounding teeth to the point that they become practically invisible. This is due to the fact that they are specifically colour matched to the patient’s surrounding teeth. Another benefit to composite fillings over metal ones is that, unlike amalgam fillings, composite ones are actually chemically bonded to the patient’s tooth, and as such add extra support. In addition to this, composite fillings also generally require less of the patient’s tooth to be removed when cleaning out the decay, thus preserving the integrity of the patient’s tooth. The process of replacing silver amalgam fillings with white ones would be carried out from within our practice on Harley Street whilst the patient is anaesthetised with local anaesthetic. Those who opt to replace metal fillings with white ones generally find it to have a massively positive impact on their self-esteem and confidence, as they can smile freely and confidently without having to be concerned about exposing large metal fillings.

Why people change from silver to white fillings

Have you had a look at your silver fillings lately? Probably not. But everyone else will have, every time you laugh or yawn, they are on display.

Go on, have a look at them in the mirror. Would you say they are silver? They’re not really, are they? They’re more of a dark, glinty grey. They don’t look very nice, do they?

Silver to White Fillings in Harley StreetAnd yet these are what you are showing to those around you every day. Your fillings. Would you rather not? Well, there is a way to get rid of all that evidence of a childhood of not too many skills with a toothbrush and a few too many dips in the sweetie bag.

You can replace those so-called silver fillings with white fillings, either all in one go or over time.

If you have all your amalgam fillings taken out and replaced with white fillings, it will probably take a few sessions, especially if there are a lot to replace. Whenever we remove an old silver filling, here at Harley Street Dental Practice in Harley Street, we are very careful to get all the filling out of your mouth so that you don’t inadvertently swallow any of it. Mercury, once it’s not safely stowed away inside your tooth, is a toxin and swallowing it can be harmful.

Or we can replace your silver fillings gradually, putting in a white one every time an old silver one wears out and needs to be replaced.

We can also just give you white fillings if you develop decay and need a new cavity filling in.

White fillings are much stronger and more durable these days, so they are in fact a better bet than silver ones. This is especially so because we don’t need to remove as much healthy tooth material to fit a white filling, which means your tooth remains stronger for longer. We can also sculpt white fillings to give you back your chewing surfaces, which is not possible with silver fillings.

Want to find out more? Give us a call or ask about white fillings next time you come in for a check-up.

Join the white fillings revolution

There’s no getting around the fact that silver fillings are neither silver, nor pretty. You can’t help but notice them when one of your friends or colleagues is laughing. Having someone’s tooth decay history laid out in front of you whenever they laugh is grimly fascinating perhaps, but also rather off-putting. Maybe your amalgam fillings are stopping you laughing as much as you’d like because you are acutely aware of having your own fillings on display.

Well never fear, help is hand with changing from silver to white fillings in Harley Street. White fillings have been around for quite a long time now and have improved in quality so that now the material used is as good as, maybe even surpasses, the old-fashioned silver filling.

White Fillings in Harley StreetWhite fillings are more expensive than silver (which aren’t silver, but mercury amalgam), but you get so much more for your money.

Let’s take a look at the advantages of white fillings.

Tooth-coloured: white fillings blend in with your teeth, so that no one need even know that you have had a filling, or two, or ten. You can banish the glint of mercury amalgam by having all your fillings replaced.

Tooth-shaped: white fillings are made of a material that can be sculpted by your dentist here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, so that your tooth still has all the right contours, which are so important for proper chewing and to take care of your jaw muscles.

Stronger teeth: because white fillings are bonded to your teeth in a process that builds the material up in layers, your filled teeth are much stronger than when they are filled with amalgam. Amalgam does not bond with the tooth, just packs it out, and it can result in a weaker tooth than can crack or break at a later date. White fillings are very durable.

Less sensitive teeth: white fillings do not make teeth more sensitive in the way that amalgam fillings can, so you can carry on enjoying hot drinks, cold drinks and ice creams without having to be wary.

We can fill new cavities with white fillings, and we also offer a service to replace all your old amalgam fillings with white fillings.

Do I need to change my fillings?

Most people have fillings of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Although it is more of cosmetic option to change your fillings, as many people don’t want silver fillings to show when they laugh or smile because they are conscious about the way they look.

white-fillings-in-harley-streetAre they as good as silver fillings?

White fillings provide a healthier, more natural alternative to traditional silver fillings. They also allow for a minimally invasive restoration, meaning more of your natural tooth can be preserved.

White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver fillings. But there are now new materials available with properties comparable to silver fillings and these are proving to be very successful. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite. Your dentist at Harley Street Dental Clinic will advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.

What are white fillings made from?

Your new white filling would be made from a very hard substance and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew over a long period.They are mainly made of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.

The material used in white fillings does not contain mercury, which is a component in silver fillings. This makes the white filling treatment a much safer alternative to silver fillings, as many people believe mercury can have harmful effects on the body.

What will my dentist do?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we will numb the area around the tooth with an injection, then remove any decay, together with any old filling material.

We then use a blue gel to clean and etch the tooth surface to help the filling to stick to the tooth, followed by coating the surface with a varnish which will help the filling to stick to the tooth.

Then we will place the filling into the cavity and shape it as required and harden it by pointing a bright blue light at it.

Replace your metal fillings with white fillings in Harley Street

A few decades ago, metal fillings were the norm in restorative dentistry. Also known as dental amalgams, metal fillings are traditionally black or silver in colour and are made of liquid mercury and metal alloys. Amalgam used to be very popular because of its strength and resilience. However, the presence of mercury in their composition has made them unpopular among patients.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic in London, we can improve the aesthetic look of your smile by having your metal-coloured fillings replaced with tooth-coloured or white fillings. This is a quick and safe procedure, which involves your Harley Street dentist cleaning your tooth thoroughly, removing any decay, taking out the amalgam and replacing it with a strong and durable white filling. This process will free your smile from metallic gleams and give your teeth a more natural appearance.

white-fillings-in-harley-streetDisadvantages of metal fillings

Although it has been concluded that metal mercury fillings are not harmful to your health, a lot of problems can occur beneath these old fillings. Because metal fillings are impervious to X-rays, your Harley Street dentist cannot see any damage below the filling until it is very extensive. Sometimes, this can mean the need for root canal treatment.

Amalgam fillings do not prevent teeth from cracking. This is because they are not strong enough to protect your teeth. A metal filling in a tooth acts like a wedge, and every time you chew the pressure is transmitted to the rest of your teeth. If the filling covers more than half of the width of the tooth, it is quite likely that the tooth is going to crack, break or chip.

Unlike metal fillings, white fillings made of composite material blend with the rest of your teeth for a natural appearance. Moreover, white fillings are minimally invasive, since they require very little of the tooth structure to be removed, offering maximum stability.

Get in touch

If you wish to replace your metal fillings with white ones, a Harley Street dentist can help you achieve a natural and functional result. Call us today or contact us via our website to book an appointment.

Could mercury-free dentistry help you get your oomph back?

Although it has not yet been proved that amalgam fillings, which contain mercury, have toxic effects upon the human body, increasing numbers of patients are requesting the dentist in Harley Street for an alternative to these ‘silver’ fillings.

dentistry-in-Harley-StreetAmalgam fillings were the brainchild of a Parisian dentist called Auguste Taveau. In the 1820s, he combined silver-tin from French coins with mercury to invent amalgam, which is soft and malleable at room temperature. Amalgam became the preferred tooth filler. Before then, decayed teeth had either been extracted or drilled and filled with molten gold or silver, the heat from which killed the tooth.

There are several good reasons why amalgam has enjoyed almost two centuries as a tooth filling material. It is unaffected by saliva and blood while it is being put in place. It is easy to use, durable and inexpensive. The FDI World Dental Association’s says that amalgam is a safe filling material, and many other dental associations and public health agencies world-wide take the same position.

However, these days more and more patients are choosing tooth-coloured resin composites fillings, and in Harley Street, dentists are skilled in the use of this popular alternative.

Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, we offer indirect ceramic restorations and resin-bonded fillings in place of amalgam fillings. We use these when filling a tooth for the first time, or to replace old amalgam fillings that have become cracked and worn over time.

Some patients even have all their mercury amalgam fillings replaced by their dentist in Harley Street. This may be because they prefer to have a mouth that does not display glints of metal when they laugh, or it may be because they believe they are suffering the symptoms of mercury toxicity. Scientists agree that mercury vapour is released from amalgam fillings into the mouth and therefore the body through the action of chewing, but its toxicity probably depends on the person and how sensitive they are. Pregnant women in the UK are advised not to have amalgam fillings in order to avoid harming the foetus.

Composite fillings are also better for the UK environment, where 5% of mercury emissions comes from dental mercury.

Not sure which Harley Street dentist to choose?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic we are a well-established practice with a reputation for excellence and great customer care.

dentist-in-harley-streetIf you feel self-conscious about having discoloured or broken teeth and have been thinking about cosmetic dentistry there is no better time than now. Cosmetic dentistry is more affordable than ever and advances in technology mean that there are more treatments available to people now than ever before. There are also payment plans available for more expensive procedures making them more affordable and more widely available to the public. You shouldn’t need to hide your smile away or feel embarrassed, our friendly team are here to help.

Our Harley Street cosmetic dental options available include:
  • White Fillings
  • Smile Makeover
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Cosmetic dentures
  • Crowns and bridges
  • Gum lifts
  • Dental implants
  • Full-mouth rehabilitations

Whatever the treatment you are thinking of, you can trust that every step of your journey will be supported by our brilliant staff and skilled dentists, with exceptional attention to detail, using the best tools available on the market and cutting edge techniques. We can even create a mock-up of exactly how your smile will appear at the end of treatment, so that you know exactly what the result will be beforehand, which many patients find very exciting and reassuring.

We always tell patients that it is integral for the success of all cosmetic procedures that you exercise good oral hygiene. Cosmetic dentistry can improve the look and feel of your teeth but it is still down to the individual to care for their teeth once they leave the practice. Lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption or smoking, can have a negative impact on the look of your teeth. If you have any questions at all about the best way to manage your oral hygiene you should always talk to a dentist. Harley Street dental patients often ask questions about procedures and for more details about our services, so please feel free to reach out.

If you are looking for a dentist in Harley Street then please feel free to contact our practice for more details of our prices and services.

Ask your dentist about replacing metal fillings

The dentists at Harley Street Dental Clinic offer a number of ways to replace old metal amalgam fillings, to give you a smile that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Once upon a time, metal amalgam was the only option for patients whose teeth needed to be filled. Nowadays, however, there are modern cosmetic alternatives aplenty.

metal-fillingsOf course, a dentist will always prefer not to have to provide any fillings at all. The team at Harley Street Dental Clinic is committed to preventative dentistry – stopping problems before they start with a combination of regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, a good diet and a strong oral health routine at home. However, when the need for fillings does arise, it is now possible to use white or tooth-coloured composite material anywhere in the mouth.

Your dentist will select a colour of composite material that closely matches the natural shade of your teeth, meaning that your fillings will be unnoticeable to the untrained eye in everyday life.

It is worth bearing in mind that teeth whitening procedures do not work on composite filling material, so you should talk to your dentist first if you are considering having whitening treatment.

We offer the option of replacing old metal amalgam fillings with white fillings at our Harley Street clinic. This is a simple procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Your dentist will remove your old metal filling, along with any additional areas of decay, and place a tooth-coloured filling in its place.

For larger cavities, particularly in back teeth where extra strength is needed, a tooth-coloured inlay or onlay may be recommended. If you have a badly damaged tooth, or one that has undergone root canal treatment, your clinician may use a crown. These can be made from a range of materials, and will be matched to the natural colour of your teeth.