White Fillings

What are white fillings?

Your dentist may refer to 'composite' or 'glass ionomer' when talking about white fillings, but these are just different types of white fillings. They are different to silver fillings, as they stick to the teeth, enabling them to be used to repair teeth that have been chipped, broken or decayed.

What does this treatment involve?

• Your dentist will normally perform this treatment under a local anaesthetic in order to numb the area around the tooth
• Any decay or old filling will then be removed, if necessary
• Your dentist will then use an instrument that looks like a water pistol, which will blow water and then air onto the tooth. Once the tooth is thoroughly clean, your dentist will put the filling material into or onto the tooth
• To harden the filling, your dentist will point a bright light onto it, ensuring that your eyes are protected throughout the process
• For the final stage of the treatment, your dentist will trim and polish the filling

What are the benefits of white fillings?

• As white fillings come in a range of shades, your dentist will be able to match the colour of your own teeth
• White fillings can also be used to reshape and rebuild teeth that are broken or have been worn down, due to the sticky material that is used
• A tooth that is going to have a white filling requires less preparation compared to a silver filling. However, white fillings are not as strong as silver fillings, which means that they may not be suitable for large fillings in back teeth