White Fillings

Most people have had a filling at some time. Fillings can be very small and quick to carry out. Conversely a large reconstructive filling that replaces a lot of lost tooth structure can require a lengthy appointment. There are two main types of filling, tooth coloured (white) fillings or silver metal (amalgam) fillings. We routinely use white fillings in most areas.

The final choice over which material to use depends of the size and shape of the cavity. There are certain situations on the back teeth where a metal filling may be more suitable. We will discuss the choice of filling with you every time. Naturally we will always take your wishes into consideration with regard to filling types.

All white fillings and some silver fillings are glued to teeth. This has the major benefit of strengthening any thin weakened areas of the tooth. This can help prevent further fracture of the tooth. If the glued cavity becomes contaminated with saliva during the treatment the filling will not stick to the tooth resulting in early failure. Clearly we want to avoid this. It may be necessary to apply piece of rubber sheeting over the tooth at the start of the treatment to prevent contamination. This has the added advantage of catching the water produced by the drill and also any old pieces of filling.

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