One option to improve the cosmetic look of your smile is to have your metal-colored fillings replaced with tooth-colored or ‘white’ fillings. This is a safe procedure that entails one of our dentists removing any decay from your tooth, taking out the metal or amalgam filling, and placing a tooth-colored filling instead. The new filling is made from a very hard substance and will withstand the forces in your mouth when you bite and chew over a long period of time. This will allow you to smile without a metallic glint in sight, giving your teeth a more natural appearance overall.

As dentists, we believe prevention is always better than cure and will always encourage and help you to look after your teeth so you don’t develop tooth decay in the first place. If you do have decay and need a filling then we recommend white fillings as a good solution that is both aesthetic and functional.

Reasons for needing a tooth filling

• • Tooth decay – Tooth decay is the most common cause of fillings. Plaque forms when bacteria feed on the sugars and starches left on your teeth by food or drink. The acids in plaque soften and dissolve your enamel (the hard-protective coating on your teeth), causing tiny holes which then grow bigger.
  • Acid erosion – Your protective enamel coating can get worn away by acids in certain foods and drinks, or with some medical conditions like reflux or hiatus hernia.
  • Chipping –You might have a broken or chipped tooth as part of an injury, or after eating something very hard. This can expose the inner parts of the tooth and lead to erosion over time.
  • Abrasion and attrition – This is when teeth get worn, perhaps if you brush them too aggressively or if you grind your teeth.