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White Fillings
What are they?
A filling replaces part of a tooth that has been lost
because of decay or through accidental damage.
You may hear the dentist talk
about composite’ glass
ionomer’ and compomer’ - these are different
types of white filling.
What will my dentist do?
Your dentist will:
- Usually numb the area around
the tooth with an injection — but
some small fillings may not need an anaesthetic;
- Remove any decay together with any old filling material,
using a small, high-speed drill:
- Remove any weak part of the tooth which might break
later
- Wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and then
air onto it (the dentist will be holding something
which looks like a water pistol):
- Etch the surface to be restored with a mild acid,
to help the filling stick better;
- Coat the surface that is to be restored with a bonding
agent (which acts like cement) and then place the filling
material this is pushed into the cavity that is to
be filled and it is shaped as required;
- Harden the filling by pointing
a bright light at it. Inside your mouth (you will
see the dentist and dental nurse protecting their
eyes) —this is
called ‘curing’: and
- Trim and polish the filling as necessary
What are the benefits?
- Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings,
white filling material sticks to teeth and can form
edges, so it may be effectively used to repair front
teeth that are chipped, broken, decayed or worn.
It can also be used as a ‘veneer
to cover marks or discolouration that cleaning won’t
remove.
- White fillings are less noticeable than silver fillings,
which turn black in the mouth. White fillings come
in a range of shades so they can be matched to the
colour of your own teeth.
- A tooth needs less preparation for a white filling
than for silver filling.
- White fillings can sometimes be used in back teeth
if there is not too much decay or damage. The NHS will
not currently pay for white fillings to be placed on
biting surfaces in back teeth. This is because white
fillings are less durable than silver fillings under
the wear and tear of chewing. White fillings are also
difficult to place in back teeth, as they need very
dry conditions, which can be hard to achieve right
at the back of your mouth.
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