Composite Fillings

Many people opt for a white filling over the more traditional silver amalgam for aesthetic reasons, as the silver stands out a lot more in the mouth. A composite dental filling has many of the same strong and durable qualities as amalgam, and contains no metal. Composite fillings are more difficult to place than silver fillings so may take your dentist 15-20 minutes longer to complete, but this extra time is more than worth the end result for many patients.

If you have silver amalgam fillings and would like a more aesthetic alternative, we can change them for white composite. We remove the entire silver filling, clean your tooth and apply the composite to the tooth cavity for a natural looking repair.

The best way to look after your white filling is to simply treat it as part of your natural tooth. Brush and floss twice a day to prevent decay forming, and visit your dentist for regular check up appointments.

The life expectancy of your composite filling can depend on the depth of the cavity and its position in the mouth; your dentist is best positioned to advise you. With the proper care and regular check ups with your dentist, your white filling can last for many years.

Yes, a composite dental filling can be easily repaired if it becomes damaged. As the composite is applied in layers and is able to bond to itself, we can add more material to cover the damage to your filling. In some cases, we may opt to remove the whole filling and replace it, but this still can be achieved in a single appointment.