White Fillings
Are you afraid to yawn and show off a mouth full of dark, discoloured amalgam fillings?
White fillings are much less obvious and we find many patients prefer them – especially for those teeth that are on show at the front of the mouth. White fillings not only provide beautiful restorations that look very natural but they also bond to the original tooth, adding structural strength and protection against further fracture that amalgam doesn’t provide.
Although used much less than in the past, amalgam still has a place in dentistry. While there are articles on the internet suggesting health problems associated with amalgam, good scientific studies have in fact shown no evidence of any effects on general health. We are, however, fortunate that we are trained in the use of more aesthetic materials that are available to us today.
White fillings can come in two types - plastic or ‘composite’ fillings, or ceramic fillings. Plastic fillings are used routinely due to being readily available, and can also be placed to look very natural. Ceramic fillings are much stronger than plastic fillings and generally have a better lifespan. Ceramic can also be used to create strong crowns and veneers which can look almost invisible to the untrained eye!