White Fillings

When a tooth has sustained a small localised area of decay or breakage, it can be repaired by a number of restorative options such as amalgam (“silver filling”) or composite. By placing a filling, a damaged tooth can be repaired with the intent to regain function.

The advantage of composite / white fillings is that they can be matched closely to the colour of your teeth. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings - generally from three to 10 years.

Larger restorations may require a piece of porcelain to be custom made and bonded into place.

Teeth Bonding

Composite bonding can be used to reduce spacing and restore balance and harmony, if all that is needed is a subtle enhancement or a repair to a damaged area.

Bonding involves “gluing” tooth coloured resin onto teeth – this can replace a broken or decayed area, close spacing, reshape a tooth. If the remaining tooth is healthy then often no further drilling is needed! The resin is added to replace the missing piece, restoring a beautiful smile and sealing and protecting the remaining tooth.

Bonding is particularly suitable for younger patients especially those who are still growing as the resin can be adjusted and added to over time to maintain appearance until a more durable material such as porcelain can be considered.

Some patients believe that having metal fillings replaced with composite fillings will improve their general health. This notion has not been proven scientifically and there are no promises or guarantees that the removal of silver fillings and the subsequent replacement with composite fillings will improve, alleviate or prevent any current or future health conditions. Composite resin fillings may be more aesthetic in appearance than some of the conventional materials that have been traditionally used, such as silver amalgam or gold, but still carry risks such as failure to achieve the desired or expected results and/or failure of the filling.