White fillings

Many adults have older amalgam (‘silver’) fillings, which can be unsightly. Replacing these fillings with the latest tooth-coloured or ‘white’ materials can leave your mouth looking natural and healthy.

This is a safe procedure that entails one of our dentists removing any decay from your tooth, taking out the metal or amalgam filling and placing a tooth-coloured filling instead.

Natural-Looking Fillings That Last Long

While the conventional filling has always lasted longer than white fillings, there are now new materials available that are comparable to silver amalgam.

The new filling is made from a very hard substance and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew over a long period of time. Its life expectancy will simply depend greatly on its location in the mouth, as well as how heavily the teeth come together during biting or chewing. You will be able to smile with confidence, knowing your teeth have a completely natural appearance.

As dentists we believe prevention is always better than cure, and will encourage and help you to look after your teeth so you do not develop tooth decay in the first place. If you do have decay and need a filling, our white fillings are both an aesthetic and functional solution.

The Procedure

The procedure involves placing the composite in layers and hardening each one using a specialised light. When the process is finished, we will shape the composite to fit the tooth, then polish it to prevent premature wear and staining.

Additionally, the same white materials can be used to subtly enhance the appearance of your smile by filling small gaps between teeth or smoothing over rough or chipped edges. Prominent or overlapping teeth can be re-shaped and re-contoured painlessly; for more information, see our page on Cosmetic bonding and teeth reshaping.