11th November 2015

Why more and more people are choosing white fillings

Whereas cosmetic dentistry was once seen as the domain of A-list celebrities and those with plenty of money to spare, more and more people from all walks of life are choosing to enhance their smiles with cosmetic dental procedures such as dental implants, teeth whitening, white fillings and teeth straightening.

White fillings are an incredibly popular cosmetic dental treatment, probably because they are one of the most affordable and immediate ways of making over a damaged tooth and restoring its appearance.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is being able to throw back your head in laughter or smile and show your teeth in their full glory. Choosing white fillings means that they can be perfectly colour-matched to your natural teeth, so you can smile and laugh with confidence and without a mouth full of amalgam.

But are white fillings better than amalgam?

White fillings at Crescent Lodge in London

We are asked this question a lot. Until recently, white fillings were considered weaker and less long-lasting than metal amalgam fillings. Thankfully, time has moved on and with the new composite materials now available, white fillings have strength and longevity that compares well to amalgam fillings, even with larger ones.

Of course, the life of any filling will depend on where it’s placed in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite. A white filling in a molar at the back of your mouth may not last as long as a white filling at the front of your mouth, for example. If you regularly grind your teeth, an amalgam filling may be better – your dentist will be able to advise you about this.

One benefit of fillings is that we will usually need to remove less of your natural tooth to fit the filling than with amalgams. White fillings are also bonded to the tooth during the placement process, which means that you can bite straight away without having to wait a few hours for the filling to harden.

Another benefit is that composite fillings are relatively poor thermal conductors, which means that they don’t conduct extreme heat and cold. This can be a great relief for people who have experienced a high degree of sensitivity to metal amalgam fillings.

Contact Our Dentists for White Fillings in Clapham Today!

If you would like to find out more about fillings in London, call us at Crescent Lodge Dental Practice on 020 7622 533 or visit our contact page to book a consultation.