When you smile, the first thought you have shouldn’t be about the colour of your teeth. Smile Gallery Dental Care believes dental restoration offers more than structural support.
White Fillings
What Are White Tooth Fillings?
When your dentist talks to you about tooth decay, your mind likely fills with unsavoury imagery of costly and painful dental treatments. While severe tooth decay often requires more invasive procedures, the majority of patients undergo dental fillings. This common procedure repairs the portion of the tooth that’s damaged due to decay, which is known as a cavity.
The primary goal of a filling is to restore a damaged tooth so it functions and looks normal. Without this streamlined treatment, decay can continue and cause far more complications. As with many restorative dental procedures, you have options in how the treatment is performed. One of the most requested, and desirable, options is what’s known as a composite filling, or a white tooth filling.
Unlike traditional fillings, which uses a grey metal known as amalgam, composite white fillings closely match the appearance of your natural teeth. Our goal with this procedure is to enhance tooth structural integrity without reducing tooth appearance. In most cases, it’s almost impossible to notice a composite white filling, which definitely isn’t true with standard amalgam fillings.
The popularity of composite white fillings is due, in part, by its application flexibility. Some of the more popular cosmetic dentistry uses include:
- Filling Gaps | If you have gaps between your teeth, also known as diastemas, composite fillings bridge this gap with a natural looking resin.
- Broken Teeth | The flexibility of composite fillings makes it ideal to repair a chipped or broken tooth.
- Correcting Teeth | Instead of invasive procedures, such as crowns or implants, composite fillings may be used to reshape a tooth. Composite teeth reshaping is often recommended for visible teeth in good condition.
The Science of Durable Invisibility | How White Fillings Are Made
To achieve a natural appearance, suspended glass particles are mixed within a resin matrix. Because composite resin can be tinted to match the colour of surrounding teeth, the filling is nearly invisible. While a restored appearance is desirable, it’s the function of a filling is the most important result.
Composite white fillings repair the structural function of your tooth. A major concern with decay buildup inside a tooth is how it weakens its entire structure. Eventually, the tooth will crack and break off, which typically leads to a more serious, and painful, condition. The suspended glass particles keeps your tooth strong and durable.
What is the Treatment Process?
When your dentist determines you have a cavity, the first step is reviewing its severity. Along with examining the suspected tooth with a compact dental mirror, you may receive an x-ray for confirmation. The type of treatment recommended is determined by the extent of tooth damage. If your dentist determines a white filling is best, the procedure is quick and relatively painless.
To begin, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the entire area. Next, a small drilling device, such as a laser or air abrasion instrument, removes tooth decay. After ensuring all decay is removed, the socket is sterilised. Finally, the composite white resin is applied in layers. Once completed, the surface is shaped so it fits naturally with surrounding teeth. The entire process is relatively swift and painless.
Swift Restoration for Lasting Protection
If you’re experiencing even a small amount of tooth pain, or you’re overdue on a dental check-up, call Smile Galley Dental Clinic at (03) 9899 0288 and schedule your appointment today! While many dentists in Box Hill are well-equipped to handle dental fillings, few offer the compassion and experience as the Smile Gallery team!
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Have Some Questions?
Do you offer Invisalign?
Considered the next generation of orthodontic correction, we’re proud to offer patients the state-of-the-art Invisalign treatment. Not sure if it’s the best choice for you? Book your free new patient orthodontic consultation today!
How important are routine cleanings?
Extremely important. Routine visits keep your teeth looking great, but also assist in early detection of serious complications, such as tooth decay or even oral cancer.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We currently accept the following payment methods: cash, credit card and government vouchers, such as CBDS, DVA and TAC.