Fillings are one of the most basic methods of restoring teeth. They do exactly what their name suggests - they fill a hole in the tooth that has been caused by decay, playing an important role in helping us to keep a tooth for many more years.
Mercury Based Fillings
There is some controversy over the use of the silver mercury based amalgam fillings which some people believe to be damaging to your health. Although amalgam fillings do release mercury vapor (a poisonous gas), there is no evidence to suggest that this gas actually causes harm within the brain.
White fillings are made from modern, tooth-coloured materials so no-one will be able to tell you have them. Unlike traditional grey amalgam fillings, the natural tooth-coloured composite fillings are mercury free and becoming more and more popular amongst patients.
White fillings can also be used to replace your old silver amalgam fillings.
We offer silver amlagam (mercury based) fillings to our patients. Although some people are concerned about the perceived health risks they pose, amalgam fillings have been used for many years in dentistry without problems (see the sidebar on the right side of this page).
We will usually numb the tooth and its surrounding area with a local anaesthetic, and will drill the decayed material from the tooth.
When the decay has been removed, the tooth will be filled. For tooth coloured fillings, the material is placed into the hole in layers, with a special light being shone on each layer to speed up the setting process.
We will then shape the filling, so that it looks as realistic as possible, and so it does not interfere with the way your teeth meet when you bite and chew.
Compare the silver amalgam fillings to the white composite fillings above
