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Composite white fillings are also called composite resins, plastic or white fillings. It is made of a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles. Getting this kind of filling depends on where the tooth is in your mouth. We bite down hard on our back teeth (molars), so a plastic filling may not be a good choice. Talk to our dentists about other options.
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What are the benefits of white fillings?
Silver amalgam fillings actually contain up to 50% of mercury and some people are concerned about the potential health effects of having mercury in your mouth.
White fillings are set in place with bonding technology that strengthens the tooth. Amalgam fillings can weaken the tooth and are more susceptible to breaking.
Sometimes patients with amalgam fillings complain about that tooth being more sensitive. This is due to the fact that the metal used in the amalgam is a conductor of heat and cold. Since white fillings are made of composite, your tooth will be less sensitive.
Traditional amalgam fillings require more drilling than white composite fillings. This is due to the fact that amalgam requires a certain thickness in order to be strong enough and the cavity must be made wider so the filling stays in place. The white composite bonds directly to the tooth. This means it can be bonded in place after the decay is removed and no healthy part of the tooth will need to be drilled away. This makes white composite ideal to fill small cavities.
Another great benefit of white composite is that they look much nicer. The bonding technology allows us to perfectly blend the color to match your existing tooth color. When it’s all said and done, no one will be able to tell that you had a cavity filled since it will be virtually invisible.
Our dentists at Rockyview Dental Care would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the pros and cons of amalgam versus white composite.
White fillings are set in place with bonding technology that strengthens the tooth. Amalgam fillings can weaken the tooth and are more susceptible to breaking.
Sometimes patients with amalgam fillings complain about that tooth being more sensitive. This is due to the fact that the metal used in the amalgam is a conductor of heat and cold. Since white fillings are made of composite, your tooth will be less sensitive.
Traditional amalgam fillings require more drilling than white composite fillings. This is due to the fact that amalgam requires a certain thickness in order to be strong enough and the cavity must be made wider so the filling stays in place. The white composite bonds directly to the tooth. This means it can be bonded in place after the decay is removed and no healthy part of the tooth will need to be drilled away. This makes white composite ideal to fill small cavities.
Another great benefit of white composite is that they look much nicer. The bonding technology allows us to perfectly blend the color to match your existing tooth color. When it’s all said and done, no one will be able to tell that you had a cavity filled since it will be virtually invisible.
Our dentists at Rockyview Dental Care would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the pros and cons of amalgam versus white composite.
What are the disadvantages of white fillings?
White composite fillings can break more easily than amalgam or gold fillings, and may not last as long. Recurrent decay is more of a problem than with amalgam or gold fillings.
The composite may shrink when placed, producing gaps between the tooth and the filling. This can lead to more cavities in areas where the filling is not making good contact with your tooth. The shrinkage is reduced when this type of filling is placed in thin layers.
The composite may shrink when placed, producing gaps between the tooth and the filling. This can lead to more cavities in areas where the filling is not making good contact with your tooth. The shrinkage is reduced when this type of filling is placed in thin layers.
