Types Of Dental Filling – Your Options In Epsom

How to choose the filling type most suitable for you.

It reasonable to suggest that few people actually enjoy having a tooth filled. Here at the Clock Tower Dental Clinic in Epsom we completely understand this and we try to help our patients have as comfortable an experience as possible when they do need a tooth filled.

Options such as ‘The Wand’, a gentler anaesthetic device, and even sedation means that most patients can undergo any necessary fillings without too much stress.

When it comes to the choice of filling material though, things can become a little confusing for the layperson. In today’s blog, we take a look at some of the main choices that are available to fill a dental cavity at our Epsom practice.

Amalgam

Amalgam dental fillings have been around for a very long time and are still the standard material used when a tooth needs to be filled. It is fair to say that its strength is probably the main reason for its longevity. There are a number of disadvantages to its use though:

• It is very dark in colour and therefore highly visible
• Over time, tiny gaps can develop at the edges of amalgam fillings. These allow bacteria to enter, with further decay likely to follow
• Some patients are uncomfortable with the use of mercury in this type of filling, although it should be noted that is has been deemed safe to use by the regulatory bodies, albeit with some conditions.

At the Clock Tower Dental Clinic, our team are experienced in the safe removal of amalgam fillings, should patients wish, and replacing them with a mercury-free alternative.

Gold fillings

Gold fillings offer a very strong option to fill a tooth. Needless to say though, the cost of these is high, given the price of gold. Like amalgam, gold is highly visible, and probably even more so. From a restorative perspective, gold is a perfectly good material; but it is though, probably mainly for those who select to have it as a lifestyle choice.

White dental fillings

Increasing, natural tooth coloured fillings are being used. These can be produced to match the natural colour of your teeth, rendering the filling virtually invisible. This is obviously good news for anyone concerned about having attractive teeth. Whilst initially, this type of filling was deemed unsuitable for larger fillings as it was less strong than amalgam; advances have been made which have brought them very close to the same strength. Where very large cavities are present, inlays and onlays offer an alternative solution.

If you need more advice, our team is always happy to discuss the various dental filling options available at The Clock Tower Dental Clinic in Epsom, along with any other questions that you may have about either restorative or cosmetic dentistry. If you would like to make an appointment to see one of our dentists, please call us on 01372 720136.