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A filling will normally be carried out under local anesthetic. The affected area will be cleared of decay or loose filling, the tooth will be washed and dried. Then the filling will be inserted and smoothed off before a bright light is applied to set the filling. The filling will then be trimmed off and polished.
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.
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. We can advise you on the life expectancy of your fillings.
It is usually best to change fillings only when we decide that an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.
We sometimes prefer not to put white fillings in back teeth because they are very technique sensitive and should only be placed under the appropriate circumstances. However, we can use crowns and inlays to provide better long-term options.
This can vary, but they are mainly made of glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.
There are alternatives such as crowns and inlays.