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.

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.

When you see all of the teeth whitening products on the market today, no wonder why you are confused! Discussing teeth whitening with your dentist can lead you and your dentist to choose the correct product and procedure for your teeth whitening needs. When visiting London, the dentist should be able to tell from the current shade of your teeth, how well your teeth will respond to teeth whitening, as yellow teeth respond the best, followed by brown teeth, and at the bottom of the scale, greyish teeth. In addition, white fillings (i.e., composites) and porcelain veneers do not whiten at all.
If your dentist agrees that you are a candidate for teeth whitening, your dentist may suggest an in-office teeth whitening system that takes several visits at about 30-60 minutes per visit. This process requires that a rubber dam and shielding gel be used to isolate the area to be treated, and make certain that your oral soft tissues do not become irritated. Then, the whitening gel is placed on the teeth to be whitened, and a light source is then placed in the immediate location of your teeth to augment the gel’s effects. There are several different types of light sources.
Various teeth whitening products exist for the public to use at home. Some are purchased for at-home use, while others are dispensed by your dentist. These products contain various peroxide(s) that clean tooth enamel, and are dependant on the carbamide peroxide gel concentration (e.g., 10%, 16%, or 22%) used as the whitening medium. This gel is placed into an overnight soft clear-rubber appliance fabricated in your dentist’s office specifically for you. The treatment is usually individualized, and together you and your dentist will decide which is best for you. You should make your dentist aware of any side-effects, such as teeth or gum sensitivity while using the teeth whitening solution. But, sensitivity should diminish over time.
The majority of over-the-counter toothpastes aid in the removal of surface tooth stains through the use of abrasives. However, these toothpastes have no effect on the tooth’s inherent shade. So, while numerous teeth whitening products exist, it is best for you to discuss which one will best work for you with your dentist.

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.