Even though it may be rare to get cavities in your front teeth, you may still want white filings. For example, if you wind up with cavities in other visible teeth, you will not want unsightly silver or gold fillings to ruin your smile. When you visit a City of London dentist you can choose from a wide range of filling materials. Aside from ones that will provide a basic white colour, you can also make use of fillings that will match the exact shade of white found on each tooth.

If you decide to get white fillings, you may also want to think about having veneers, or other types of cosmetic dentistry done at the same time. In particular, this would be an ideal time to have the shape of your teeth adjusted to fit your mouth size and face shape. You may also want to have your teeth whitened so that you will be sure to get the correct shade of white for your fillings.

Depending on your situation, you may decide that you want the most durable fillings that you can get. In these cases, you may want to ask your dentist about using amalgam fillings, and then covering them over with some other material. Aside from traditional veneers, there are also removable ones that may suit your needs. You may also want to consider having a full crown installed.

Regardless of whether you choose resin fillings or some type of composite, you can have peace of mind knowing that they will not create an unsightly contrast to the rest of your teeth. In addition, many of the newer materials are almost as strong as amalgam. While you may still need to have silver coloured filings for your molars, at least any teeth that show can look as perfect as possible.

Does your silver amalgam fillings make you feel self-conscious every time you smile or talk? Ask your London dentist and he will tell you about the alternative to silver fillings: white composite fillings.
White composite fillings are popular alternative to amalgam fillings. Made of strong resin materials, white composite fillings are made to match the colour of your surrounding teeth. They can be placed on the front or back of your teeth.
There are several reasons why a patient may need white composite fillings, including:
• Repair amalgam or metal fillings
• Repair cracked or chipped teeth
• Sensitivity to cold or heat – this is because the composite resin material used in white fillings does not conduct changes in temperature, not as fast as gold or silver.
• Mercury-free – white fillings are ideal for patients who want mercury-free fillings.
• Reshape teeth
Many London patients prefer white fillings because they can match the translucency, texture and shade of their own natural teeth, thus eliminating the unsightly silver colour of amalgam fillings every time they smile.
Other advantages of white fillings over silver fillings are:
• Restoration of your tooth’s original strength. This is because composite fillings are bonded to the tooth, thus restoring the original durability of your teeth.
• Restoration of your tooth’s natural appearance.
• Minimal removal of tooth surface. With white composite, the size of the hole your dentist will make in your tooth for the filling is smaller as compared to that with the amalgam filling preparation.
• Less sensitivity to cold or heat.
• Lastly, white fillings are safe because they do not contain mercury.

Despite the controversy surrounding the application of amalgam fillings because of its mercury content, many people are still going to their London dentists to have their teeth repaired with amalgam fillings.

Amalgam fillings consist of liquid mercury, silver and shavings of tin, copper or zinc.

Why are amalgam fillings still preferred over white and composite fillings?

• Fights bacteria. Amalgam is bacteriostatic, hence it prevents bacterial growth.
• Cost effective. Amalgam fillings cost much lower than white fillings which are not as durable.
• Strongest material. Amalgam has been proven to be stronger than any of the newer fillings.
• Easy application. Amalgam is easier to prepare and insert into cavities than composite fillings, hence will not take much of the patient’s time.
• Adaptable. The dentist can easily change amalgam application techniques to adapt to the needs of the patient.
• Durable. Amalgam fillings last much longer than composite fillings.

Besides, amalgam has been in use as dental fillings for the last 200 years. The British Dental Association and other U.S. dental associations have released a statement that amalgam fillings are good and safe materials to repair decayed teeth. Their arguments include the following:

• Amalgam fillings do not contain free mercury.
• A person needs 265 to 310 amalgam fillings to feel even just a slight effect of mercury toxicity.
• Mercury, when combined with other materials in a dental amalgam, changes its chemical nature and becomes inert.
• There are no controlled studies that have linked amalgam fillings to any specific medical problem.

The only thing some people do not like about amalgam fillings is the silver colour, but if you are more concerned about durability and long-lasting prevention against bacteria, you should call your London dentist and schedule an appointment for amalgam fillings.

Your London dentist is very well trained in the placement of amalgam fillings. They have been used for over 150 years in dentistry. Although their compositions and formulations have changes over the years, their design and placement remained constant. Dental amalgam is a mixture of liquid mercury in combinations with various metal powders or shavings. These metals are usually combinations of silver, zinc, copper and/or tin. There are still many advantages of amalgam fillings over white composite fillings. These include their cost, durability, strength, easy application, and bacteriostatic properties. Due to the recent concerns about mercury safety, the level of mercury in amalgam fillings has been reduced in recent years. Your London dentist will use these amalgam fillings in your back teeth, so that they are not visible when you smile. Amalgam fillings are very adaptable, long lasting, strong, and take less times to place than composite fillings. Also, amalgam filling placement is not as technique sensitive as composite fillings.

There are two main types of fillings; direct restorations which are placed immediately into a prepared cavity in just a single visit to the dentist. They include resin ionomers, glass ionomers, dental amalgam, and most composite (resin) fillings. The dentist prepares the tooth, places the filling and adjusts it during one appointment.

Indirect restorations will require you for two or more visits to the dentist. They include inlays, veneers, bridges with gold, on lays and crowns. On your first visit he will only prepare the tooth and will only make an image of the area, which needs the treatment. The image or the impression will than be sent to a dental laboratory, which will create the dental filling (restoration). Than on the next appointment, he will cement the filling onto the prepared tooth and will adjust it accordingly.

The Direct Restoration and the indirect restoration are than further classified;

Direct Restorations
Amalgam
This word “amalgam” when it is referred to as dental filling it means mixture of two or more metals in which the component is mercury. Dental amalgam is a mix of approximately 43 percent to 54 percent mercury with other metals like, including copper, silver and tin.

Glass Ionomer
These are materials, which are tooth-coloured and are made from the mixture of acrylic acids with fine glass powders, which may be used to fill the cavities, mostly those, which are on the root surfaces of the teeth

Resin Ionomer
They are also made from glass filler with acrylic acids and acrylic resin and are used to harden with their exposure to blue light. They are mostly used for the fillings on non-chewing surfaces and filling in baby teeth. They increase the durability because of their metal structure.

Indirect Restorations
Porcelain (ceramic)
The most common ones are like ceramic, porcelain and glass-like fillings and crowns. They are used in on lays, inlays, cosmetic veneers and the crowns.

Gold Alloys
They contain gold, copper and other metals, which result in strong, effective filling, bridge or crown. They have great durability and good resistance

What are the advantages of having amalgam fillings over white fillings? Your City of London dentist has used amalgam fillings on patients with great success. Dentists have used amalgam fillings for about 150 years. Amalgam, as the name implies, is a blend of liquid mercury and metal shavings or powder. Silver, copper, zinc and/or tin, are usually used. Amalgam fillings are still being used due to its advantages versus newer white filling materials. Amalgam is less expensive than white fillings, and is durable, strong, easily applied, and stops the growth of bacteria (i.e., it is bacteriostatic). There has been recent conflict over the safety of the mercury, thus the mercury levels have been reduced.
City of London dentists view amalgam fillings as strong, long lasting and adaptable. They are easier to insert into the cavity preparation than white fillings, and last twice as long as white fillings. Visit your City of London dental clinic for amalgam fillings.

White fillings are another name for composite fillings that are used instead of amalgam dental fillings in your back teeth. They do not contain mercury or metal, and therefore will not stain the tooth they are placed in, adjacent teeth, or the gum tissue. They look great, and are natural in appearance. Your London dentist can match the surrounding tooth structure with the many shades available. These composite fillings are used in situations where tooth decay exists and is properly removed, or if the tooth is damaged.
The restoration technique for composites is more complex than for amalgams, however do not require the same amount of tooth structure removal as amalgam fillings do in many cases. Your dentist will numb the area of your where he is working, and remove the decay and weakened parts of the tooth. Next your dentist will place a base, so as not to damage the tooth’s pulp. The tooth is then etched, and washed and dried. An unfilled resin material is then placed so that it flows into all areas of the tooth preparation. Next, the composite is placed in layers, if necessary so that it can be hardened (i.e., cured) with a special light. These lights only penetrate the composite to a certain distance. So, if the cavity preparation is deep, the composite needs to be placed appropriately so it will harden. Then the composite is shaped using drills, polishing stones and rubber wheels. The mouth must be kept dry while placing the composite.

Your London dentist will tell you some of the advantages of amalgam fillings. The use of amalgam fillings in dentistry has been known for approximately 150 years. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury and several metals, such as silver, tin, copper, and zinc. It has been used for so long due to its advantages over other filling materials. It is cheap, strong, durable, easy to use, and bacteriostatic (i.e., it stops the growth of bacteria). In the past, the choices of restorations were either amalgam or hot boiled gold that had to be hammered into the tooth. The hammered gold technique could damage the tooth, so amalgam became the widely accepted restorative filling material. More recently, there has been concern over the mercury contained in the amalgam fillings. The main question is if mercury in amalgam harmful to the patient and/or environment. Therefore, the mercury content in amalgam fillings was lowered.
Amalgam is viewed as versatile and outstanding dental restoration, in that it is easy to place into the tooth and manipulate before it sets, and is inexpensive. It also lasts twice as long as composite fillings, 10-12 years versus 5-6 years, respectively. Amalgam procedures are usually not as complex or time consuming as composite fillings. The composite techniques require greater care and are more sensitive, requiring precision handling, a dry field, and more procedures to place than an amalgam filling. Amalgam, being bacteriostatic, stops the growth of bacteria at the margins of the filling and tooth, while the basic ingredients of composite fillings actually promote bacterial growth. Thus, bacterial growth under amalgams occurs much more slowly than under composite fillings. This is usually a factor in failure of restorations. Visit your London dental clinic for more information.

Dental bonding is a procedure used for cosmetic enhancement and the repair of structural imperfections in the teeth. It is also known as composite or tooth bonding. It utilizes a composite resin consisting of glass and porcelain particles that are fused into a liquid plastic which is then matched according to the colour of the patient’s teeth. It can be used in a wide array of situations. It can repair chipped teeth, cover discoloured teeth, line-up crooked teeth, fill the gap between teeth, replace silver amalgam fillings and repair decayed teeth.
To begin the procedure, the London dentist will select a composite resin that matches the colour of the patient’s teeth. The dentist will roughen the existing tooth in order for the resin to bond properly. The composite is then applied to the tooth, shaped and smoothen until the desired look is achieved. High intensity light is used to quickly harden the composite. It is then buffed and polished to make the bonded tooth to appear the same as the surrounding teeth.
Tooth bonding has several benefits for patients in London. The tooth looks and feels natural. Unlike other procedures such as bridges, veneers or crowns, bonding is very inexpensive and fast. It usually takes a short period of time to complete and can usually be completed in one dental visit. Dental bonding is painless and no anaesthesia is needed in most cases since it does not involve any surgery or drilling.
Although dental bonding has several advantages, it is only a temporary replacement. Its quality is not the same as that of bridges, veneers, crowns and other forms of filling. That’s why bonded teeth are more prone to chip, break or stain. The patient should therefore first weigh the pros and cons of dental bonding before undergoing the bonding treatment.

I’ve had a mouth full of fillings done when I was very small and all of them are silver amalgam. Granted they are very ugly to look at but they are hardy and don’t cause any problems .But the recent research ahs proved to be shocker with the FDA of London stating that almost all silver amalgam fillings are dangerous for your health. This is a drastic diversion from the stand which the FDA had maintained for several years that the silver amalgam filling material is completely safe for use in the oral cavity.Silver amalgam fillings have long been a mainstay of all dentists as they are cheap, easily done and very hardy. But there have been whispers for a long time from alternative medical practitioners about the ill effects of the mercury which is used to make the silver amalgam so pliable. On June 2nd,a class action suit filed by dentists and consumer groups was won by the consumer advocate groups and the FDA has now changed its tune 360 degrees. Research has been around since 1926 stating that mercury in silver amalgam fillings can be dangerous for patients and the fact has been reinforced by many dentists who are no longer using the material as a restorative inside the mouth. Dentists are now pretty confused and it’s the duty of the FDA to provide detailed guidelines on what will be the safest way to use this material inside the mouth.