White Fillings

In the past, teeth were most commonly repaired with amalgam (silver) fillings or gold restorations, but most people don't want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look. Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, your teeth can be restored with a more aesthetic and natural appearance.

In our practice, we only use the new type of fillings, Composite (white) filllings.

What are White Fillings?

White fillings, also known as composite fillings, are highly aesthetic fillings made of tooth colored materials. White fillings can be used for bonding to improve your smile by changing the color, shape and size of a tooth, to fix a broken tooth invisibly; and to close spaces between the front teeth. White fillings can also be placed in back teeth where they can be used instead of gray amalgam fillings.

How Long Will White Fillings Last?

White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver amalgam fillings. But there are now new materials available with properties comparable to silver amalgam, and these are proving to be very successful. 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.

We will be happy to advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.

Advantages of white fillings:

Since they bond to the tooth, composite fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking.

Composite fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth.

Teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam.

Composites are mercury-free. Mercury in amalgam fillings is viewed by some as being toxic.

Composites require less removal of tooth structure. Especially with new cavities, the size of the hole made for the filling can be dramatically smaller with composites.