Tooth Coloured Fillings in Melbourne’s CBD and Surrounds
Tooth coloured fillings are made from a composite resin that can be matched to the exact colour, texture, and shape of your tooth. They present a far better alternative to amalgam (metal) fillings, and we recommend the replacement of amalgam fillings with composite teeth coloured fillings for the majority of our patients.
White fillings have many advantages over amalgam fillings. They do a better job of sealing cavities and cracks in teeth, thereby preventing bacteria and decay from entering the tooth and affecting the nerve. They are healthier, as they do not contain toxic mercury. And they present a better appearance as they match the teeth they are fitted to in colour, texture, and shape.
The Benefits of Tooth Coloured or ‘White’ Fillings
Composite white fillings are an aesthetically pleasing choice when it comes to repairing your teeth, for several reasons. Unlike gold and amalgam fillings, they can be colour matched to the tooth getting repaired, presenting a seamless finish that is not visible.
Thanks to the putty-like nature of the composite before it is hardened inside the cavity, and the direct bonding method used to place teeth coloured fillings, they seal the cavity better than a gold or amalgam filling can, preventing further decay.
Teeth repaired using composite materials are also stronger than those filled with metal due to less invasive drilling techniques and reduced tooth reduction.
Should You Replace Old Gold and Amalgam Fillings?
While replacement isn’t the answer for every amalgam filling, we recommend having amalgam fillings replaced with composite fillings if at all possible. Amalgam contains toxic mercury as one of its primary ingredients, a substance that is banned in some countries due to its toxicity.
While there is still debate amongst medical professionals whether the mercury in amalgam fillings has an adverse effect on patients health, when a large portion of the science points to getting metal fillings replaced, we think it’s best to take that advice seriously.
Amalgam also expands and contracts in your mouth during rapid changes in temperature, adding the risk that your tooth could crack or develop a fissure. It is now widely accepted that amalgam fillings do not seal cavities as well as composite white fillings, adding to the risk that your tooth can become infected or is open to further decay.
If you would like to discuss the benefits of tooth coloured composite fillings, call our team at James Peter Dentist to arrange an initial consult today.