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.
Are 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.