White Fillings (Composites)
What are White Fillings?
In general, there are two types of filling materials that we can use to restore teeth that have decay - silver fillings and white fillings (also known as composite fillings). Many dentists have moved away from silver fillings because modern white fillings are strong and esthetic and can be used in almost any clinical situation.
When are white fillings used?
White fillings can be used anywhere in the mouth, and they can be used for almost everything from small fillings to large fillings or chips, to composite veneers. Of course every material has limitations, and if there is too much tooth structure missing after a large cavity is removed, or a tooth has fractured, then a crown may be necessary.
Are there disadvantages of white fillings?
Not really, but it's important to understand that in order for white fillings to last as long as possible, you have to maintain very good home care and have routine dental cleanings.
In addition, if you have white fillings in your mouth and you later decide to whiten your teeth, your white fillings will not whiten. Thus, if you have a number of white fillings in the front of your mouth, you might want to consider whitening your teeth, and then replacing the white fillings to match the bleached color. Again, it all depends upon how different the color matches are, and it’s certainly not required for you to change your fillings if you whiten.
