Why
should I consider white fillings?
Most people have fillings
of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings
are not only functional, but can be natural looking as
well. Many people don’t want silver fillings that
show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious
about the way they look.
Are white fillings
as good as silver amalgam fillings?
White fillings have
always been considered less long lasting than silver
amalgam fillings. But there are now new materials available
with properties comparable to silver amalgam, and these
are proving to be very successful. The life expectancy
of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is
in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together
when you bite. Your dentist can advise you on the life
expectancy of your fillings. However, any fillings provided
on the NHS are automatically guaranteed for one year.
Is it worth replacing
my amalgam fillings with white ones?
It is usually best
to change fillings only when your dentist decides that
an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to
have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.
Some dentists prefer not to put white fillings in back
teeth as they are not always successful. One way around
this would be to use crowns or inlays, but this can mean
removing more of the tooth and can be more expensive. |
