Couple smiling with white fillings

Do You Want to Replace Your Metal Fillings With Amazing White Fillings?

A white tooth filling is a type of restorative dental treatment that uses special composite resins or ceramic restorations that are shaped and shaded just like real teeth to ensure a natural look.

Depending on the condition of your teeth, we now have alternatives to traditional silver fillings. With advancements in dental technology and ceramics, we can now carefully match, blend and contour these white fillings to compliment your natural teeth.

Cambridge City Dental is your local Perth dentist providing high-quality white fillings. Not only do they look natural, but you can now also have these fillings done in one session.

How does this work? With CEREC dental technology we simply scan, design and mill a porcelain filling in one session that is natural and life-like, making it difficult to distinguish between the filling and the natural tooth.

Call Our Perth Dentists Today or Book an Appointment Online to See If Our White Fillings Are Right For You!

Why Opt For White Tooth Fillings Over Metal Fillings?

An increasing number of dental patients are requesting white fillings, and it's easy to see why!

CEREC dental fillings have many benefits over other types of fillings such as amalgam and composite fillings. They are made from high-quality ceramic, which is aesthetically closer to natural teeth than other types of filling material, allowing for a more natural finish.

This makes the tooth structure stronger, and more comfortable and prevents further decay. Another benefit is that they are bonded to the tooth in a single appointment, which is more convenient.

Finally, unlike amalgam fillings, they do not contain metals, which means they are also mercury-free. This makes CEREC a great filling choice due to there being fewer concerns about allergies or side effects from ceramic white fillings than other filling materials.

CEREC Ceramic White Fillings

At Cambridge City Dental, art and science become one with the latest advancements in dental technology. Ceramic fillings are biocompatible, highly aesthetic, long-lasting and durable.

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics and uses 3D imaging to create and fit white fillings in one appointment, so there’s no need for multiple visits to get a filling.

White fillings are made from a specialised composite resin that bonds to the teeth and can be shaped and coloured to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, ensuring a natural-looking smile. These fillings not only enhance the structure of the tooth but also help prevent further damage and decay.

Ceramic fillings are biocompatible, highly aesthetic, long-lasting and durable.

Reasons Your Dentist May Recommend a White Filling

Dental fillings are used to restore damaged teeth and enhance your smile. Here are some reasons your dentist may recommend white fillings.

  • To treat tooth decay and protect a decaying tooth against further damage.

  • To protect against tooth wear and preserve the remaining tooth structure.

  • To treat cavities that may have developed from poor oral health, or a lack of brushing and flossing.

  • To treat any teeth trauma from accidents.

  • To replace existing amalgam fillings and to have a gleaming white smile.

Here’s What You Can Expect When Getting White Fillings

About to undergo dental treatment for white fillings? Here’s a broad overview of what you can expect!

  • Firstly, your dentist will remove the existing defective filling (if you have one) and prepare your teeth with a scale and clean. This step ensures a clean and healthy foundation for the new white filling. By eliminating any old metal fillings and decayed areas, we prepare your tooth for optimal bonding and longevity of the white filling.

  • An optical image is captured using a small camera placed directly in your mouth. This high-resolution image allows for precise digital design of the dental restoration on a computer screen. The design is then transmitted to a milling machine, where diamond-coated instruments carve a ceramic block to accurately reproduce your custom white filling. The result is a precisely crafted new filling that is ready to be placed seamlessly in your mouth.

  • After polishing, the new restoration is checked for a precise fit. A unique light is used to harden the adhesive bond, effectively uniting the porcelain with your tooth. Additional polishing and glazing are performed to ensure a pleasantly smooth and natural feel. The tooth filling is colour-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing result.

    The perfectly bonded porcelain provides maximum strength and durability, ensuring an extremely long life for your teeth while maintaining a great natural appearance.

What Are The Signs That You May Need a Dental Filling?

No dental problem can be diagnosed and resolved over the internet. However, the following symptoms warrant a visit to the dentist to identify whether you may need a dental filling or another type of dental treatment:

  • Tooth sensitivity

  • Constant tooth pain or toothaches

  • Teeth wearing down over time

  • Frequently experiencing food stuck between the teeth

  • Existing fillings deteriorating

If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend booking an appointment with a dentist. At Cambridge City Dental, our doors are always open to new patients! Don’t hesitate to book an appointment online or by calling our friendly team.

 

White Filling FAQs

  • Metal amalgam fillings are becoming less common for several reasons including:

    • Advancements in dental technology: Modern techniques such as digital imaging, CEREC, and improved materials have enhanced the precision, durability, and aesthetics of dental fillings.

    • Aesthetics: Metal amalgam fillings are silver in colour, making them highly visible and less aesthetically pleasing compared to white fillings.

    • Mercury content: Amalgam fillings contain mercury, which has raised health and environmental concerns. Although the mercury in amalgam is considered stable, there is a growing preference for materials that do not contain mercury.

    • Tooth preservation: Modern filling materials require less removal of healthy tooth structure for placement compared to amalgam fillings. This means more of your natural tooth can be preserved.

    • Bonding capability: Ceramics bond directly to the tooth structure, providing additional support and reducing the risk of the tooth breaking.

  • Depending on the type of filling, most will last at least 10 years or more. There are many factors that affect how long a dental filling typically lasts. These include the type of filling placed, dietary habits, and your lifestyle habits, such as dental hygiene and whether you grind your teeth at night. For white CEREC fillings, you could get up to a lifetime out of them with proper care and regular dental check-ups.

  • There are several filling materials available, these include silver amalgam, glass-ionomer, white and gold fillings. Natural tooth coloured fillings or white fillings are the most popular. These use new resins and ceramic technology to match the shade of your teeth. Some patients may also have an allergy to certain materials, which is why you’ll come across many different types of dental fillings.

  • Coverage for CEREC fillings and other dental treatments varies depending on your health fund and specific policy. Some plans may cover a portion of the cost for CEREC fillings, while others may only cover traditional fillings. It’s best to check with your health fund to understand your benefits and out-of-pocket costs for CEREC white fillings.

  • Unlike teeth whitening treatments, a white filling won't make your teeth whiter. The process of ceramic fillings allows for the colour to blend in with your existing teeth and your natural tooth structure. As a result, this colouring can vary from patient to patient. Your teeth can be whitened before you have your new white fillings placed so that the new filling is much whiter and can blend in with your whiter teeth.

  • Yes, you can usually eat normally after getting a tooth filling, but it’s advisable to avoid sticky or hard foods immediately after the procedure. For the first 24 hours, try to stick to softer foods to allow the filling to settle and ensure that it bonds properly. If you experience any discomfort or issues with your filling, contact your dentist for guidance.

  • Caring for a dental filling involves maintaining good oral hygiene practices. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep the area around the filling clean. Regular dental checkups and cleans are also important to monitor the condition of your filling and address any potential issues early on. Avoid chewing on hard objects or using your teeth as tools to prevent damage to the filling.

Chat to the Team at Cambridge City Dental For More Information About White Fillings

The team of dentists at Cambridge City Dental offer a variety of services in general dentistry, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Are you considering having your amalgam fillings removed and replaced with white tooth fillings? Contact our friendly team today to find out whether this is the right dental treatment for you!

 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.