Fillings

Many people opt for a white filling over the more traditional silver amalgam for aesthetic reasons, as the silver stands out a lot more in the mouth. A white dental filling has many of the same strong and durable qualities as amalgam and contains no metal.

Yes, due to their silver colour amalgam fillings are noticeable when you talk or laugh. They are often used in the back teeth so are not immediately visible, but other people will be able to see them if they get close enough. As an aesthetic option, you may wish to consider composite fillings, which are completely tooth coloured and not able to be seen in the mouth.

White fillings blend beautifully into your natural teeth, and can’t be seen when you talk, laugh or smile. We ensure the composite material is colour matched to the shade of your natural teeth to give the most aesthetic repair possible. 

If you have silver amalgam fillings and would like a more aesthetic alternative, we can change them for white composite. We remove the entire silver filling, clean your tooth and apply the composite to the tooth cavity for a natural looking repair.

Yes, a composite dental filling can be easily repaired if it becomes damaged. As the composite is applied in layers and can bond to itself, we can add more material to cover the damage to your filling. In some cases, we may opt to remove the whole filling and replace it, but this still can be achieved in a single appointment. 

The best way to look after your filling is to simply treat it as part of your natural tooth. Brush and floss twice a day to prevent decay forming and visit your dentist for regular check-up appointments. 

Although the inclusion of mercury in amalgam fillings has attracted some controversy, a number of scientific studies have concluded that it has no adverse side effects and is safe in this form. However, we can use composite fillings for patients who would prefer no mercury to be used or have an allergy to any of the metals within the amalgam.