White fillings

Dental fillings are used to fill a cavity (a hole that has formed in your teeth) or other damage such as a chipped tooth. Cavities get bigger over time and can progress to more complex concerns, so the sooner they’re spotted and filled, the less likely you are to have problems later.

Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings, white fillings stick to teeth so they can be used to repair teeth (especially front teeth) that have been chipped, broken or decayed. They can also be used for back teeth depending on the damage.

You will probably hear the dentist talk about 'composite' or 'glass ionomer' – these are different types of white filling.

What will my dentist do?

Your dentist will:

• Normally give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area
• Remove any decay
• Remove some or all of an old filling
• Wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and then air into it (the dentist will be holding something that looks like a water pistol)
• Put the filling material into or onto the tooth and shape it
• Harden the filling by pointing a bright light at it, inside your mouth (you will see the dentist and dental nurse protecting their eyes)
• Trim and polish the filling

What are the benefits?

• White fillings are the same colour as teeth. Dental technicians can provide a variety of shades in order to match your current teeth.
• White fillings are sticky so they can be used to reshape and rebuild broken edges or worn teeth. They can also be used to cover marks (discolouration) if they can't be removed by cleaning.
• A tooth needs less preparation for a white filling than for a silver filling.

White fillings are not as strong as silver fillings so they may not be suitable for large fillings in back teeth. They also need very dry conditions, which can be hard to achieve right at the back of the mouth.

Our focus at Cedar Dental Care is on preventative dentistry. During your routine oral health assessments, your dentist or dental hygienist will flag any concerns they spot that may lead to cavities, advising a home care routine to focus on these areas before they progress.