A filling restores a hole in a toothor repairs a chipped tooth and returns it to its original shape. White fillings closely match the natural colour of your teeth so will not be visible when you talk, laugh and smile.
How do I know if I need a filling?
Often if you attend for your regular dental appointments there will be no signs or symptoms that you need a filling. The dentist will be able to notice decay in a tooth up to 5 years before you get any symptoms such as sensitivity or pain.
Why should I choose a white filling over a silver one?
The most obvious answer is appearance. All-white fillings will not compromise your gorgeous smile. Another benefit of composite fillings is that they require less removal of healthy, tooth structure, allowing for more conservative restorations.
How is a filling placed?
The dentist will first numb the area using a local anaesthetic to ensure that you will not feel anything. Following preparation, the composite is placed in layers, using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the composite is shaped to fit the tooth. It is then polished the composite to prevent staining and early wear.The composite resin bonds to your tooth helping to strengthen it.
Can my old fillings be replaced by composite fillings?
Many people opt to remove metal fillings and replace them with composites for purely aesthetic reasons. If your old repair starts to crack or leak, you should definitely have the filling updated.
How do I care for my filled teeth?
White composite fillings can last for over many years if they are well looked after by both dentist and patient. The following are keys to filling longevity
- Eating a healthy diet low in both refined and unrefined sugars – and not snacking
- Keeping your mouth clean with regular brushing and flossing
- Having regular dental exams and professional teeth cleaning to help remove plaque and calculus that you miss
What are the benefits of a white filling?
White fillings closely match the natural colour of your teeth – This means that they will not be visible when you talk, laugh and smile.
White fillings allow you to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible – This is because composite materials chemically bond to the surface of the tooth like an adhesive.
White fillings bond to the tooth helping to strengthen them – White fillings are more stable when exposed to hot and cold liquids and foods compared to metal filling that expand and contract.