Can I replace my silver fillings with white ones?
For over 150 years standard fillings have been made out
of a silvery-grey material called ‘amalgam’.
This is still one of the strongest and longest-lasting
materials available for fillings. However, many people
find it unattractive and some are concerned about possible
health risks.
There are now alternatives to amalgam fillings. If a tooth
needs filling or repairing, white fillings are now replacing
many amalgam ones. The new dental materials mean it is much
easier to find a perfect match for the shade of a particular
tooth. In most cases, it is quite impossible to see that
the tooth even has a filling. Amalgam fillings in teeth shown
Composite fillings in teeth shown with the use of rubber
dam again with the use of rubber dam.
What is a composite filling?
Composite filling is resin based and is applied as a putty-like
material. This can be moulded to the exact shape of the tooth
and is then set using a visible blue light. It can be matched
exactly to the shade of your tooth and most are now as strong
as amalgam, proving to be a successful alternative.
What is ‘sticky’ or ‘adhesive’ dentistry?
Modern techniques now involve sticking fillings to teeth
using special dental adhesives. This technique is often called ‘adhesive’ or ‘sticky’ dentistry.
The area is treated with a solution which roughens the surface
of the tooth much the same as using sandpaper ‘keys’ the
wall ready for painting. The adhesive is applied and the
filling is ‘bonded’ to the tooth. The advantages
of this method are that the cavity needs less preparation
and in some cases it may not be necessary to numb the tooth
first.
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