White Fillings (Mercury Free)

A filling replaces a part of the tooth that has been lost due to decay, erosion or accidental damage. For over 150 years fillings have been made out of a silver material called amalgam containing mercury. Although it is a strong material, it is certainly not the most attractive!

The alternative is what are called ‘white fillings’, using materials that match the colour of your tooth.

Sometimes white fillings can be used to cover unsightly marks on teeth.

The technology behind white fillings has improved considerably in the last few years, and their strength will now match that of amalgam fillings.

Can you replace older silver fillings with white fillings?

Absolutely. White fillings are, in a majority of cases, almost impossible to notice. That’s because they can be matched and shaped to the existing colour and contours of your tooth.

Treatment pathway

The area around your tooth will be numbed with local anaesthetic (Only if you wish).
The decay together with possible old fillings will be cleaned out.
Unlike silver fillings, white filling materials stick to the tooth surface. This means that less tooth is drilled away.
Once the cavity has been cleaned out, conditioned and lined, a filling material is matched to the colour of your tooth and then placed.
It is set (hardened) with a specially designed bright light.
At the final stage, the filling is trimmed and polished.