Tooth Coloured Fillings

At Saltire Dental Practice we provide patient with multiple options when having to have a filling;

Silver

Tooth Coloured

Gold

Dental Fillings

A filling is used to treat a small hole, or cavity, in a tooth. To repair a cavity, a dentist removes the decayed tooth tissue and then fills the space with a filling material.

Silver Fillings (Amalgams)

Advantages of silver fillings:

1. Durability -- silver fillings last at least 10 to 15 years and usually outlasts composite (tooth-colored) fillings.
2. Strength -- can withstand chewing forces
3. Expense -- may be less expensive than composite fillings

Tooth-colored Composites

Advantages of composites:

1. Aesthetics -- the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. Composites are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth.
2. Bonding to tooth structure -- composite fillings micro-mechanically bond to tooth structure, providing further support.
3. Versatility -- in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken, or worn teeth.
4. Tooth-sparing preparation -- sometimes less tooth structure needs to be removed compared with amalgam fillings when removing decay and preparing for the filling.

Cast Gold Fillings

Advantages of cast gold fillings:

1. Durability -- lasts at least 10 to 15 years and usually longer; doesn't corrode
2. Strength -- can withstand chewing forces
3. Aesthetics -- some patients find gold more pleasing to the eye than silver amalgam fillings.

To find out more information about Filling material in dentistry call us on 01592 771317.