Fillings are a very common dental procedure, used to treat dental cavities and damage caused by decay. They are a highly effective way to restore strength and functionality to your tooth in a single appointment. Silver amalgam fillings are the traditional choice, but white composite fillings have become incredibly popular in recent years due to their aesthetic qualities, looking and feeling just like your natural tooth.
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White Composite FillingsMade from a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles, dental composite offers a cosmetic tooth repair option. It can be colour matched to the exact shade of your existing teeth and mimics dental enamel, blending seamlessly with your smile. The composite material is bonded directly onto your tooth in a minimally invasive treatment process requiring no drilling.
Composite fillings can be used for both small and large areas of decay, particularly in the front teeth and areas of high visibility in the mouth. They are strong, durable and last at least five years, and usually more, before needing to be replaced. Many patients today are choosing to change their amalgam fillings for the modern composite alternative to benefit from the improved aesthetics and appearance.
Silver Amalgam FillingsMade from a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper and mercury, amalgam fillings are strong, hardwearing and effective. Mercury comprises nearly 50% of the mix, however when used in this alloy form, it is perfectly safe. Traditional amalgam fillings are not bonded to the tooth in the same way as composite, and are visible in your mouth, but they are much more affordable and perfectly able to withstand the forces from chewing.
Amalgam fillings are well established, most commonly used for the back teeth, and are very long lasting. We may have to remove more of your tooth than just the decayed part to make room for the filling, but the treatment is completed in just one visit to the practice. Some patients are concerned about the mercury involved in amalgam fillings, and opt to have them replaced with white composite.
We use local anaesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth before removing the decayed part.
We etch the tooth, applying an acid gel to create a suitable surface for the composite material to effectively bond to.
The composite is colour matched to your tooth and applied in layers, gradually building up the appropriate shape. We harden it using a bright UV light, which sets the filling immediately and strengthens it.
To complete your treatment, we professionally polish your tooth. This leaves it looking just like part of your natural tooth.
We use local anaesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth before carefully removing the decayed part.
We shape the cavity space to create a secure pocket, ready for the filling. The amalgam is placed into this pocket in the tooth, and tightly compacted to ensure every part of the cavity is successfully filled.
We shape the amalgam to resemble your tooth shape and smooth the biting surface so it feels comfortable in your mouth. Your tooth is then professionally polished to complete the process.
Treat your filled tooth just like the rest of your natural teeth. Make sure you keep up with an effective oral hygiene routine at home, including brushing and flossing twice a day, to avoid decay. It is also important that you visit your dentist for regular check up appointments.
Having a filling shouldn’t be painful. We use local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort, and take care when removing decay and placing the amalgam or composite in your tooth. Composite fillings in particular are pain free. Most patients feel a sense of relief following a filling, as the pain they were feeling due to tooth decay has been successfully eliminated.
If your amalgam filling is intact and still providing an effective repair, there is no need to replace it. However, if you are concerned about the mercury in your amalgam filling, or are looking for a more aesthetic alternative, we can replace it with natural looking composite.
Yes, as they are silver, amalgam fillings do stand out against your white teeth and are able to be seen when you smile or laugh. If aesthetics are particularly important to you, we recommend you choose a composite filling, or an alternative restorative method such as an inlay or onlay.
Yes, the composite material is matched to the shade of your teeth, making your filling completely natural looking. It blends seamlessly with your existing teeth, is securely bonded into place, and other people will not be able to tell you have a filling.
Composite fillings are very easy to repair if they become damaged or chipped. As the composite material is able to bond to itself, small areas can be quickly repaired. For larger damage, we may choose to remove the filling entirely and replace it. Amalgam fillings can also be repaired, but we may suggest having the filling removed and replaced with composite instead.
Yes, fillings are not permanent and can fall out, especially if they are quite old. If your filling falls out, please contact us as soon as you can to make an appointment for a replacement.
by Dental Design