Treatments - white fillings (mercury free)

Many of us have had amalgam (silver) fillings. These amalgam fillings have sometimes been called mercury fillings, as amalgam fillings contain mercury chemically bound to the amalgam metal alloy. These are effective, but very conspicuous and tend to blacken in colour over time. Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings coloured to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings, and are made of a plastic dental resin containing glass-like filler particles. Composite Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile.

When are Composite Tooth Coloured Fillings Appropriate?

If you have a cavity in a tooth, broken fillings, or fillings in need of replacement this type of dental filling is well worth discussing with your dentist.

Composite resins may also be used to enhance the appearance of any tooth, which is a tooth bonding procedure. The composite resin will strengthen and enhance the natural tooth structure as it does with use as a dental filling.

How are composite resin fillings different from amalgam fillings?

Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Composite Resin Fillings, are made of a plastic dental resin reinforced with glass-like filler particles. The filler is bonded to the tooth structure, which may provide some support for the weakened tooth, which ordinary amalgam fillings do not. Modern materials are very hard, but for large fillings may not be as durable as other materials.

How are composite resin fillings accomplished?

Your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area. The dentist then prepares an access to the decayed area of the tooth and removes the decayed portions. With a composite filling, your dentist will preserve more of the natural tooth as the composite resin can be bonded to the tooth in thin layers. A special dental material is then used to open up the pores of your tooth's dentine and roughens up the surface of the exposed enamel. This achieves a better and stronger bond. An adhesive resin is applied to stick the composite to your tooth. This material is made of the same dental resin as the composite however it is much more fluid. This layer is then hardened and cured with a very bright light.

Composite resin fillings are applied in thin layers, and slowly built up to form the complete filling. A bright dental light will harden each layer before the next is applied. Once your filling is completed, your dentist will commonly use a special paper, articulating paper, to check the height of your filling and that your bite remains correct. Your tooth is then polished.

Pros and Cons of a composite resin fillings

Advantages:

The composite of composite resin fillings bonds to further support the remaining tooth structure, which helps prevent breakage and damage to your tooth. They certainly look better, and are colour blended to match your natural tooth colour. These fillings are often used to improve the appearance of misshapen, chipped or discoloured teeth.

Disadvantages:

Composite resin fillings require more time to apply than amalgam fillings, due to the inherent moisture sensitivity of their placement. Often Rubber Dam is required to ensure adequate moisture control. With large fillings at the back of the mouth composite resin may wear slightly more quickly than alternative materials leading to a shorter life span of the filling.