Artistic Dentistry Has Offered Composite (White) Fillings for Over Thirty Years
(It’s true — fillings don’t have to hurt! Just see what our patients have to say below.)
Reasons for white composite fillings include:
- Decay
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Teeth that are worn from circumstance such as tooth grinding or use of teeth to open things.
- Patients whose original fillings are decades old often want the option to update their smiles with white composite material, which is more attractive than the dark mercury fillings material.
- Also, patients with a sensitivity to mercury fillings opt to have them removed and replaced with the white composite material.
If you have “shot-phobia” no fear: We start by numbing the gum area with a topical get before administering any shots. In fact, many a dental-phobe has marveled in delight at how uneventful their dental procedure was compared to how they imagined it would be!
Once all the decay is removed, Doc will shape the space to prepare it for the filling. After that, a base or liner may be necessary to protect the pulp where the nerves are. Next, the actual filling is bonded to the tooth. After the filling is placed, Doc will use burs to finish and polish the tooth. A final check is done to ensure the filling is aligned with the rest of your teeth, so your bite feels natural.
After getting a new filling, your tooth could be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods, heat or cold. Not to worry, it should only last a week or two. Be sure to let us know if your bite doesn’t feel right afterwards as you may need what’s called a “bite adjustment” after a filling.
Metal vs White Fillings
White fillings have been around since the 1980’s and have become the standard in the industry vs the classic silver (amalgam) filling material for several reasons. They’re considered more attractive than the dark metal fillings. Some patients choose white fillings due to concern about mercury leakage from the amalgam fillings, although the American Dental Association’s position is that silver amalgam is a safe and durable option, as it’s been in use for over 100 years and studies have shown it to be a safe material.
More technical expertise is demanded in the placement of white fillings vs amalgam fillings. The materials chosen by the dentist, as well as strict adherence to the procedure determines the quality and durability of the filling. Amalgam fillings don’t require the same level of technical expertise. We have placed countless white fillings, as he switched primarily to this material in the 1980s when it first became available. Our patients rarely encounter a difficulty with their white fillings and find they last for a very long time.
Some insurers offer less coverage for white fillings than amalgam. If this is a concern, you can discuss both options further with us.