What are they?
A white filling is used to replace part of a tooth that has been lost through decay or damage.
You may hear the dentist talk about ‘composite ‘or ‘glass ionomer’-these are different types of white filling.
What will my dentist do?
Your dentist will:
- usually numb the area around the tooth with an injection-but some small fillings may not need this
- remove any decay, together with any old filling material, using a small, high-speed drill
- remove any weak part of the tooth which might break later
- wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and then air onto it
- etch the surface to be restored with a mild acid, to help the filling stick better
- coat the surface with a bonding agent and then place the filling material
- harden the filling using a UV light
- trim and polich as necessary
What are the benefits?
- Unlike silver(amalgam) fillings, white filling material sticks to teeth and can form edges, so it may be effectively used to repair front teeth that are chipped, broken, decayed or worn.
- White fillings are less noticeable than silver fillings, which may turn black in the mouth.White fillings come in a range of shades so thay can be matched to your own teeth.
- A tooth needs less preparation for a white filling than for a silver one.
- White fillings can sometimes be used in back teeth if there is not too much decay or damage.