White Fillings

Gone are the days when fillings were cosmetically obtrusive.

Thanks to white fillings, it’s possible to have a discreet and amalgam-free filling that’s a close match to your natural tooth shade, giving you the desire and confidence to smile, and the peace of mind that your tooth is decay-free.

What are white fillings?

White fillings are used to protect a tooth from further decay. Made from a composite resin material that’s aesthetically similar to a real tooth, a white filling is discreet and will not be destructive to your tooth in the way amalgam (silver) fillings often are. As they can be bonded directly to your tooth, white fillings require less preparation and won’t change shape (and risk sustaining damage) in response to temperature changes when you eat hot and cold foods.

Who is the treatment for?

White fillings are suitable for patients who:

• Have a cavity caused by the build-up of decay. A filling will protect this from worsening and requiring more complex treatment in the future.
• Would like to replace amalgam fillings with a more aesthetic and durable substitute.

Why choose white fillings?

It’s natural to feel self-conscious about how your teeth look. As white filling blend seamlessly in with your tooth shade, you won’t have to worry about others noticing you have a filling when you open your mouth to eat, speak and smile. More importantly, you can feel safe in the knowledge that further decay does not pose a threat to the tooth in question, or to neighbouring teeth.

Attend regular hygienist and dentist appointments to minimise the need for a filling in the future.

Stages of treatment

Initial examination:

• Your dentist will thoroughly examine your tooth to assess the extent of the decay present.

Cleaning the area:

• Under local anaesthetic, the tooth will be cleaned to remove the decay.

Place the filling:

• The filling material is bonded and shaped directly to the tooth and hardened using a UV light.