White fillings have become a favourite of patients for a number of reasons.

• They look far more attractive than metal fillings
• They are felt to be safer than metal fillings

Both points are equally valid. For many years metal, amalgam fillings were the restorative of choice for damaged teeth, but research and experience revealed over time that these were prone to leak. Heavy metal leakage is no picnic and so when possible most dentists prefer to use white fillings, which contain no metal material.

Why do I need a filling?

Fillings are a handy tool for preventing further tooth decay and saving your natural teeth. When plaque and bacteria are able to sit on the surface on your teeth they eat away at the enamel, first causing erosion and then decay. Small holes can begin to appear in your tooth, which if left unchecked can turn into large holes, after which they become massive cavities. Cavities are painful and can often mean the end of your natural tooth, with extraction often the only option. If a dentist spots a small amount of decay in time they can use malleable white dental fillings to seal the tooth and prevent any further decay from occurring.

What else can white fillings be used for?

White fillings can also be used for aesthetic reasons, for example, if you suffer from a chipped tooth at the front of your mouth then white filling material can be used to restore the tooth. As long as the damage isn’t structural, white fillings can be used to correct fractures and cracks to teeth that a visible when you smile. This is often a more cost effective option that veneers or crowns and provides results that are similar in appearance. If you are interested in having white fillings get in touch with the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Ballsbridge.