White Fillings

White Fillings (Composite fillings)

Fillings are the most common type of restorative dental treatment used for repairing tooth damage caused by either injury or to repair cavity as a result of decay.

White fillings, also known as composite fillings, can also be used to improve the appearance of teeth, reducing gaps, repairing chips and so on. The best option for cosmetic repairs and restorations is to have a white filling. White fillings are not only a practical solution to repair underlying damage, they are also the most visually appealing.

Composite is, as the name suggests, a tooth coloured material composed of glass particles suspended in a resin matrix. The material is available in multiple different colours, thus every attempt will be made to blend the filling with your natural tooth colour so that it is seamless.

The process of placing a composite filling material in your tooth generally starts with a local anaesthetic to numb that particular tooth. The tooth is cleaned and made free from bacteria. The filling material is then gradually placed in your tooth. After the filling is placed it is normal for your tooth to be sensitive for several days.


Maintenance for white fillings

The good thing about white fillings is that they are bonded to your tooth, which means we can save tooth structure and don't have to cut mechanical retention into your tooth. However, the junction between your tooth and the filling needs to be kept as clean as possible so bacteria can't build up here. We recommend regular check-ups so we can check these margins for more decay getting under the filling, as, over time, the bond breaks down.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. How long white fillings last depends on a few things: where it is, the depth of filling, the type of tooth structure it is bonded to, your bite, whether you grind or clench your teeth, and, most importantly, how well you keep the margins of the filling clean.