Considering White Fillings? Here's What You Need To Know

White Fillings are an aesthetic way to protect your teeth from further damage and decay, whilst giving back your confident smile.

Cracks, decay or other damage to your teeth can take away your confidence, as well as making it painful to consume certain food and drinks. Treating these issues is the best way to feel comfortable and confident again. However, coloured fillings can leave you feeling less than impressed.

What Fillings are Available

When you go to your dentist in Balwyn and they mention fillings, the first thought you have may be of amalgam fillings which are silver in colour and made of a mixture of metals. However, many dentists offer composite fillings, which are white (or tooth coloured) and made up of a resin and glass mixture that is unnoticeable when implanted into the cavity. Other fillings that can be offered are glass ionomer fillings which are white and created using powdered glass.

Choosing fillings can feel like a big decision, but aesthetically white fillings are the most natural in appearance and can make you feel less self-conscious about your smile.

Composite fillings

Composite fillings create a natural look that repairs an existing cavity or crack in existing teeth and forms a barrier against future decay. Choosing a composite filling has aesthetic advantages as they match the colour of your teeth, and don’t stand out in the way that amalgam fillings might.

Whilst composite fillings are a long-lasting solution to dental issues, they don’t last forever. Whilst they have been designed to withstand the same wear we place on our natural teeth, fillings are also more prone to damage, becoming loose, or falling out altogether. Luckily fillings are easy to replace, but this should be done as soon as possible to avoid any further damage or infection to the affected tooth.

The Treatment for Composite Fillings

The treatment for composite fillings can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes and is a straightforward procedure.

With any fillings, your dentist in Camberwell will numb the area and remove any decay from the affected teeth. The area will be thoroughly cleaned to ensure correct filling placement without any complications. The filling will then be created to fit the desired section of your tooth, ensuring it covers the area completely.

Once your filling has been implemented it will look and feel like a natural tooth.

How Long Have White Fillings Been Available

White fillings were first created and administered in the 1960s and were popular as they didn’t contain mercury which is a toxic metal. Not only did it provide a safer oral filling option, but composite fillings also have a longer lifespan when compared to the amalgam fillings that were the other option at the time.

What Are The Benefits Of White Fillings

Other than the aesthetic benefits of a white composite filling, including its natural look compared to silver or gold amalgam fillings, there are many other benefits to choosing a white filling.

Composite fillings do not transfer heat as quickly as metal amalgam fillings do, which reduces heat and cold sensitivity within patients. When eating hot or cold food and drinks you can concentrate on enjoying what you are eating, instead of trying to avoid chewing on that tooth.

As metal transfers heat, it can also fluctuate due to temperatures. Silver amalgam fillings can fluctuate in size depending on the temperature they are exposed to, which can lead to them loosening and falling out, or expanding to wear and damage the natural tooth. White fillings do not have this issue as resin does not expand or contract based on external temperatures.

Metal fillings contain trace amounts of mercury, which is a toxic metal. Over time the metal from amalgam fillings can slowly leach into the bloodstream. As composite fillings are made using a combination of resin and glass, there is no risk of metal poisoning, making it a safer option for your fillings.

Looking After Your White Fillings

Maintaining your white fillings is as easy as taking proper care of your teeth. Brushing and flossing can help to prevent any damage to both your natural teeth and the required fillings.

Avoiding hard food such as popcorn seeds and hard boiled sweets can also be beneficial to maintaining your fillings, so they can last for as long as possible before needing to be replaced.

To really look after your teeth and fillings we recommend regular dental cleaning to help maintain your smile for as long as possible.

Want to know more about our white filling treatments at Tower Dental?

Looking to get a white filling to bring back your confident smile? Get in touch with our team today if you would like to know more. Our Dental Team here at Tower Dental would love to help you discover the treatments we offer, and find the one that best fulfils your needs.

For fillings in Balwyn, Kew, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Surrey Hills, Mont Albert & Deepdene, we're only a phone call away.

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