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Category: White Fillings

Upgrade your fillings

Silver fillings. They sound so classy, but let’s face it, silver fillings are not really silver. They only look a bit silver, and once they are in your mouth, they actually look more dark grey to black. And not classy at all.

At Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton, a lot of our patients are moving from silver to white fillings.

White Fillings in SuttonWhy change from silver to white?

Although amalgam is deemed safe, it does contain mercury and some people believe that amalgam fillings can lead to ill health. This is one reason why some patients choose to have all their amalgam fillings replaced with white composite fillings.

White fillings are put into the tooth in a different way from amalgam. Layers of white composite are packed into the cavity and then cured with a UV light. Once the layers are built up and the last layer is cured, the dentist can then sculpt the surface of the filling so that it has the grooves and ridges that one finds on the chewing surface of a natural molar. This cannot be done with amalgam, which only gives a flat chewing surface. When you have lots of fillings in your molars having a good chewing surface on each one can make quite a difference to processing your food, and to the pressure on each tooth.

Another great reason to go for white fillings is that the dentist only needs to remove the decayed part of the tooth. Amalgam fillings require the removal of healthy tooth tissues as well. This means a bigger hole, and thinner sides to the tooth, which weakens it. So teeth filled with white composite are stronger than those filled with amalgam, and therefore likely to last longer.

And lastly, white fillings look great. You can laugh your head off and not worry that those you are with are being treated to a display of your dental history. All they will see are rows of lovely, strong white teeth.

If you want to make the move from silver to white fillings, why not give us a call. You can do them all at once, or one by one as your old silver fillings start to wear out.

White fillings versus silver fillings

White fillings have always been considered less long-lasting than silver fillings. But, there are now new materials available that are comparable to silver fillings and these are proving to be very successful for our patients at Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite. Your dental team in Sutton can advise you on how long your fillings should last.

white-fillings-in-suttonAdvantages of white fillings

Since they bond to the tooth, white fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more vulnerable to breaking. Since broken teeth are very expensive to restore, white fillings can save a lot of expense in the long term.

Teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with silver fillings when the correct techniques are used, like those we use at Benhill Dental Practice.

White fillings are mercury-free. Mercury in traditional silver fillings, is viewed by some as being toxic.

White fillings also require less removal of tooth structure. Especially with new cavities, the size of the hole made for the filling can be dramatically smaller with white fillings.

What are white fillings made of?

White fillings are made of ceramic and plastic compounds. Because resins mimic the appearance of natural teeth, these fillings have been used in front teeth for many years. When they first were used, resin compounds weren’t strong enough to be used in back teeth. This is because high-pressure grinding and chewing require greater durability.

In the past 10 years, technology has improved enough to allow the use of resin material in your back teeth.

Are white fillings right for me?

Deciding which type of filling to use is best made by you and your dentist at Benhill Dental Practice. They will consider the size and location of the cavity, patient history, cosmetic concerns and the cost. Your dentist in Sutton will discuss all the choices available for dental fillings and help you decide which filling is right for you.

Do you still have silver fillings?

Do you still have a silver filling or two lurking in the back of your mouth? Have you not really given it much thought until now? If you are looking to swap from silver to white fillings, in Sutton, then talk to us at Benhill Dental Practice. It is an easy and safe procedure for our skilled dentist, who simply takes away your old silver filling and replaces it with a hardwearing white filling. This hardened substance will stand the test of time and allows you to eat the foods you love. Of course, you still need to look after all your teeth properly. We always recommend that all of our patients clean their teeth at least twice a day.

white-fillings-in-suttonWhy should I get them swapped?

Perhaps you don’t notice the shimmering silver in the back of your mouth, buy maybe your loved ones do? Would you not like to open your mouth for that hearty laugh, knowing all they will see is a mouth-full of white? If so, we have the solution for anyone in this position living in Sutton; silver to white fillings is a growing trend! Come and modernise your teeth and smile, you never know what else might change! A new modern you! Fees are very affordable and all prices for fillings and other treatments are available on our website: https://www.benhill-dental-practice.co.uk. If you are unsure about this procedure or have any questions, then please give us a call and we will help you to gather the information that you require.

Why do we need fillings in the first place?

Teeth require fillings, because an excess of sugary foods and drink cause tooth decay, which eats away at the tooth causing a hole. If teeth are cleaned regularly and thoroughly, the sugar should be removed and decay would not happen, but often this is not the case and many children and adults will have at least one filling. Today, dentists will only use the white fillings as they are the best substance for longevity and give the best look. If you still have the old style of filling, then do not despair, come and join others opting to change from silver to white fillings in Sutton.

Silver to White Fillings

Do you have prominent silver fillings that make you embarrassed to smile in public? Fillings made from metal amalgam are very strong and durable, but are also very obvious because they do not blend in with the natural colour of your teeth.

silver to white fillingsWhen they were first developed, white or tooth-coloured fillings were not as strong as metal amalgam fillings. These days things have changed; thanks to big advances in materials and techniques used, white fillings are now considered almost as strong as metal ones, and suitable for use in all areas of your mouth.

White or tooth-coloured fillings are made of a very strong composite material. When your dentist places a white filling, they will carefully select a colour of composite that matches closely to the natural colour of your teeth. This means that the fillings will blend in seamlessly to your smile and nobody will know they are there.

At Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton, we offer the option of replacing silver-coloured metal amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite fillings, to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. If your metal fillings are old, worn or discoloured, or if you just want to give your smile a cosmetic makeover, replacing metal fillings with composite fillings is an excellent option.

This is a simple and fast procedure carried out in a single appointment here at our Sutton dental practice. Your dentist will first remove your old metal fillings from your teeth, using local anaesthetic so that you won’t experience any discomfort.

If there are any new areas of decay, your dentist will also remove these and will prepare your tooth to take a new filling. After carefully choosing the correct shade of composite material, your dentist will place this in the cavity and shape it for a perfect, smooth and seamless fit. Once in place the material hardens quickly, giving you a strong, healthy and natural-looking smile.

White Fillings

Once upon a time, if you needed a filling your only choice was to have one made of metal amalgam. While this is a strong, durable and well-proven option, because of their silver or grey colour, these fillings could also be very obvious – particularly if they were near the front of your mouth.

white fillingsWhite fillings have been around for a long time, but for many years were considered less strong than their metal counterparts. However, thanks to advances in materials and techniques, white fillings are now considered almost as strong as metal amalgam ones, and are suitable for use anywhere in your mouth.

At Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton, our skilled cosmetic dentists also offer the option of replacing your old metal amalgam fillings with white fillings. These are carefully matched to the natural shade of your teeth, meaning that not only will you be able to smile without a trace of metal on show, but also that nobody will notice you have any fillings at all.

This is a safe and simple procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Your dentist will carefully remove your old metal filling and any areas of decay that may have developed since your tooth was filled, and will put a tooth-coloured filling in its place. These fillings are made from a very hard, durable composite material that is able to withstand the biting and chewing forces created in your mouth.

For teeth that have very large metal fillings or a large amount of decay, your dentist may recommend using tooth-coloured inlays or onlays, as these are better-suited to larger cavities and are a half-step between standard fillings and crowns.

Your dentist will also provide you with preventative advice to help stop any further decay developing, helping to prevent the need for any further fillings in the future.