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restored teeth
WHITE FILLINGS
White fillings
White fillings, otherwise known as composite, consist of safe resins that are naturally tooth coloured, insoluble, easy to manipulate and safe.
They are commonly used to restore a tooth that has been affected by caries. The cavity is filled with a white filling, that is shade matched to the tooth, then bonded and moulded to the correct shape and size of the cavity. By being bonded, it strengthens the tooth structure and restores its original and physical integrity. It also allows for less removal of the enamel when being prepared, unlike silver fillings which require retentive preparation destroying healthy tooth. Once completed, the white filling is able to flex with the small natural movements of the tooth that happen with temperature and pressure, this makes them less likely to cause tiny fractures. This makes white fillings a natural choice for dentists when restoring a tooth, whether at the front or the back!
What happens during a filling?
It is a simple, painless process that can be done with local anesthetic if required.
Your dentist will make sure that you are comfortable and cannot feel anything throughout the treatment process, putting you in control.
The tooth is cleaned and prepared, then a special gel is applied to ensure the surface is adhered to properly by the bonding agent. The composite is then placed and molded into the correct shape for the tooth set hard with a special light.
The natural bite is taken into consideration, and your dentist will ask you to bite together to make sure that the new filling is not affecting it. There may be some adjustments necessary to correct a high or rough area.
white filling aftercare
Anything new in the mouth can take a while to get used to or may feel alien for a while, here is some advice and tips to follow for after you have had a filling:
- If you have had local anaesthetic, it may take up to 4-6 hours for the effects to wear off. During this time, please ensure that you refrain from chewing your lip, inner cheek, tongue or soft tissues and drinking hot drinks to avoid unwittingly causing trauma to the area.
- Your mouth has been worked on, so there may naturally be a small amount of tenderness, bruising and sensitivity to the area for a couple of days. If there are still worsening symptoms of pain after 7 days, contact the practice for advice.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold are relatively normal for a short period of time after a white filling, and you should find that this settles after a few weeks. However, if you experience a prolonged period of sensitivity to temperature, or it worsens, please contact the practice for advice.
- To preserve your filling, you should maintain a good oral health routine at home, brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and limiting sugary food and drink.
