Your smile is a potent tool that promotes your confidence. Teeth determine, to a large extent, the appearance of your smile. If for any reason, your teeth are damaged by decay, wear or trauma then your smile will be affected. However, with white fillings, you can restore your smile naturally and almost invisibly.
What are white fillings?
White fillings are the materials used to fill the hollow cavities, called dental caries, in your teeth.
Unlike the traditional silver fillings, which exhibit metallic glint, these are made similar to the natural white shade of your teeth.
These are also called composite fillings and are firmly bonded to your natural teeth by using bonding techniques.
What are white fillings made of?
These are made up of materials like quartz, silica, or glass, and the composition is such that they contain a matrix made up of resin, coupling agents, and the inorganic fillers which are the prime components.
With such a brilliant configuration, they can endure the forces of biting and chewing and restores the natural functions of your teeth.
The size of inorganic particles varies categorising the white fillings into macro filled, micro filled, nano filled, or hybrid.
When will you need white fillings?
When your tooth gets decayed; using the stuck food particles as substrates, the bacteria undergo specific reactions and secrete an acid that leads to the necrosis of your tooth. Ultimately a hollow cavity occurs because the dental tissues are being eaten away by the bacteria.
Such a cavity will make the appearance of your teeth unpleasant, and also disable the essential tooth functions of biting and chewing.
In such a condition, you will require a treatment that can fill this gap and restore the contour of your teeth. Amalgam or silver fillings were being traditionally used, but now they’ve mostly been replaced by the more advanced and cosmetically better white fillings.
These filling will serve their purpose of getting the natural structure of your tooth back and also provide an almost invisible restoration. One cannot even identify that the tooth is being filled because of the natural colour of the fillings.
How long do white fillings last?
The key to preserving anything is to take proper care of it. So, if you want your white fillings to last longer and stay bright and brilliant, you must take adequate care of it.
On average, the white fillings can last up to 10-15 years if taken care of. Caring for white fillings is not a cumbersome process, it just requires you to follow a strict oral hygiene regimen including regular brushing and flossing of your teeth, avoiding any sweet or unhealthy food, and flushing your mouth with water or mouthwash after every meal. Such simple techniques can help you maintain the white fillings longer and your teeth stronger.
What are the benefits of white fillings over amalgam fillings?
If you compare and contrast white fillings with traditional amalgam fillings, you will find that white fillings are quite superior to amalgam ones in numerous ways.
The primary advantage is that of an enhanced cosmetic appearance. No one wants to exhibit a metallic glint when they smile; everyone wants a bright, flawless smile. So white fillings will serve the purpose well.
Apart from this, white fillings are firmly bonded to your teeth by the bonding process. This also provides strength to your tooth, unlike amalgam fillings which just fill the cavity superficially without any bonding.
The white filling also offers improved compliance to the patient who can start with a regular diet as soon as the effect of anesthesia wears off.
Who is eligible for white tooth fillings?
Anyone with a cavity scooped out in the tooth due to decay or injury is eligible for a white filling. However, if the affected tooth is one from molars or premolars, your dentist will refer you to amalgam fillings because they are more sturdy than white fillings and will be better able to endure the pressure of biting and chewing on the posterior teeth.
Moreover, fillings in the posterior part will not be visible usually, so, the issue of cosmetics doesn’t arise.
So if you’re thinking of removing silver fillings and replacing them with white, you should first consult your dentist and do so only if he recommends it.
At Conway House Dental Practice, you will find a team of skilled dentists who will guide you and help you to choose the best alternative for your teeth.
How much do white fillings cost?
If you choose Conway House Dental Practice for your white fillings treatment, the price starts from £60.00. The price varies on the extent of damage and if a filling is already present and needs to be replaced. The quality of material used and the proficiency of the procedure will not disappoint you because the dentists at Conway House use the best materials and the latest techniques.
