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White Fillings: “Tooth to The Rescue”

2nd August 2016

Shiny, white teeth have always been the standard for the healthy and attractive smile that we see not only in TV commercials but also in magazines. But years of eating sweets and unhealthy diet can take their toll on the overall appearance of your teeth. Not only that, for cavities can begin to form and thus comes the long battle that can start from early childhood all the way to adulthood.

There are of course, many solutions to this problem. The simplest preventive solution is eating less sweets, and next is regular brushing of teeth. Another is scheduling an oral prophylaxis, at least twice a year. Sometimes the damage is already done, and you may require a dental filling. Dental filling,also called  “dental restoration”, is a process of filling the tooth with something to “fill” in the cavity and also to restore the tooth’s appearance and structure. There are several types of dental filling, and one popular choice is the “white filling” due to its more natural appearance.

Silver or White, Which is better?

As previously discussed, “white fillings” are very popular because they are more “natural looking” as compared to Amalgams. Before you choose your fillings, you might have a few questions to ask and we’ll to answer them as best as we can.

First, how are they different from each other? An amalgam or silver filling is made up of about 50% mercury and before you start panicking about its safety, relax. It’s mixture of other materials like silver, tin, and copper that are safe for humans. The main selling point of an amalgam is that it can withstand the test of time. It is perfect for teeth at the back of the mount like molars, those that cannot be seen when you smile.

White fillings, on the other hand are perfect for visible places like the front teeth. White filling is made from “synthetic resin” which is used in dental restoration. Over the recent years, they have gained tremendous popularity because of “aesthetics”.

A Pearly white smile is the epitome of the perfect teeth, and will probably be the case in the years to come. This is the main selling point of “white fillings” which have become very popular over the years. Modern white filling materials last for a comparable time to amalgam fillings and are more aesthetically attractive. It can match the colour of the original tooth and thus, it is natural looking. It is not resistant to stains though, so regular brushing of teeth and visits to the hygienist are very important to maintain the aesthetics.

Why should you consider getting white fillings? Everyone can have it of course, especially if the tooth in question is visible when you smile. The front teeth are perfect for the white filling. They are also perfect for smaller cavities. For the bigger ones and if they are at the back of your mouth, alternative restorations may be more appropriate.

Your Dentist shall guide you as to which option is most suitable for you.