White Fillings

What are they?

A filling replaces part of the tooth that has been lost because of decay or accidental damage.

Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings, white fillings stick to teeth so they can be used to repair teeth (especially front teeth) which have been chipped, broken or decayed. They can sometimes be used in back teeth if there is not too much decay or damage.

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

Before
After

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 all filling;
• Wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and air onto it (the dentist will be holding something which 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); and
• Trim and polish the filling.

What are the benefits?

• White fillings are the same colour as teeth. They come in a range of shades so they can be matched to the colour of your own 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 your mouth.

Silver Fillings

What are they?

A filling replaces part of the tooth that has been lost because of decay or accidental damage. “Silver” fillings are made of amalgam – a mixture of mercury with silver, tin and sometimes copper.

What will my dentist do?

Your dentist will;

• Numb the area around the tooth;
• Remove any decay, together with old filling;
• Remove any weak part of the tooth which might break later;
• Shape the hole so that the tooth holds the filling in place;
• Sometimes use tiny pins and screws to help hold the tooth and filling together (for a larger filling);
• Put a lining underneath the filling if it is very deep, to make the tooth less sensitive to temperature changes;
• Press soft amalgam tightly into the hole – you might hear a squeak as it goes in;
• Carve the filling to fit into the hole in the tooth (the dentist might put a thin metal band around the tooth while they are doing this to keep the amalgam in place while it is still soft);
• Ask you to close your mouth gently on the filling to check that it is the right height and is comfortable; and
• Polish the filling at the next visit, when it is completely hard.

What are the benefits?

• A filling rebuilds the tooth so you can chew.
• If decay is left unchecked, it can eat into the tooth and cause pain. The tooth might then have to be “root filled” or taken out.
• A filling can end toothache or prevent toothache developing.
• Amalgam is soft and mouldable at first but quickly becomes very hard. Silver fillings are very strong so they can be ideal for back teeth where there is heavy wear from chewing.

Inlays And Onlays

What are they?

You can have inlays and onlays instead of fillings. Fillings are soft to begin with and are moulded to shape in the mouth. Inlays and onlays are made outside the mouth, usually in a dental laboratory, and then glued to the tooth in the surgery.

An inlay sits in a hole in the tooth. An onlay sits on the tooth and builds up its shape. Inlays and onlays can be made in tooth coloured porcelain, gold or a material called composite. Different materials are suitable for different parts of the mouth and different parts of the teeth.

What will my dentist do?

Your dentist will:

• Normally give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area;
• Remove any old filling material and any decayed or damaged tooth;
• Use soft, mouldable material which sets in the mouth to record the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it;
• Give the impression to the dental technician to make the inlay or onlay;
• Use a temporary filling to protect the tooth that is being repaired while you wait for the inlay or onlay to be made; and
• Glue the inlay or onlay in place on your next visit (they may make small adjustments so that the tooth is comfortable to bite on).

What are the benefits?

• Inlays and onlays are strong and can last longer than fillings.
• They are especially suitable for chewing surfaces of back teeth and for large repairs to front teeth where it can be difficult to make a white filling look natural.
• Your dentist can match the colour to your other teeth.
  

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