Tooth-coloured fillings are made from durable plastics mixed with microscopic glass particles, called composite resins. Similar in colour and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than other types of fillings.
Because composite resins are tooth-coloured, they look more natural than other filling materials. You can smile and talkwith confidence.
First, tooth-coloured fillings are not for every tooth. They work best in small restorations and low-stress areas. For example, your dentist may not recommend a tooth-coloured filling for a large cavity or for the chewing surface of a back tooth. Second, tooth-coloured fillings may cost twice as much as silver fillings because they take longer to place. Research has shown that they do not last as long as other restorations.
Together we will decide what type of filling is best for you. As a rule of thumb, the front teeth are suitable as are small fillings. Large fillings at the back are not suitable. It would be better to place porcelain inlays for strength and durability.
Take care of a tooth-coloured filling the same way you take care of any filling: Brush, floss, and visit your dentist. Any filling will last longer with good oral hygiene. Your dentist will regularly check the fillings for colour change, leakage, or unusual wear and inform you of the need for repair or replacement.
Most people have fillings of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Many people don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look.
Because many white fillings are only available privately, costs can vary quite a lot from dentist to dentist. Costs usually depend on the size and type of white filling used and the time it takes to complete the treatment. Costs may also vary from region to region. As a guide, white fillings start from around £40 each, but your dentist will be able to give you an idea of the cost before you agree to treatment.
Amalgam or silver fillings are the metal coloured fillings that many people have. Amalgam was the traditional material used for fillings for many years.
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. Your dentist can advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.
It is usually best to change fillings only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.
Some dentists prefer not to put white fillings in back teeth, as they are not always successful. One way around this would be to use crowns or inlays, but this can mean removing more of the tooth and can be more expensive.