4 Reasons Why You Need White Fillings

Over the years have you ever stared into your mouth & thought - maybe it’s time to get a more attractive smile?

When many of us had our first tooth cavities, there was a single solution available, commonly known as

Mercury amalgam (or Silver) dental fillings have historically been used to repair a tooth affected by decay, cracks or fractures.

These solutions were initially developed as a low-cost alternative to gold restorations - made from a combination of silver shavings, zinc, copper, tin, and mercury. metal, sometimes as silver or mercury amalgam for your fillings … These are three common names are all used for the exact same dental filling-type – Amalgam.

But today if you have you been diagnosed with a cavity, there are alternatives to amalgam available that are recommended by dentists which are stronger, safer and also more durable. White fillings (also known as composite resin fillings or tooth coloured fillings) unlike those metal fillings of the past are virtually invisible, long lasting and can be shaded by our dentists to match the colour of your teeth. A beautiful silver-less smile can now easily be yours for the asking!

Here at Milford Dentist, our practice has been silver-less, mercury amalgam free for more than 15 years.  White composite resin fillings are our clinician’s choice for repair and restoration of all teeth in many situations. So why do our dentists choose metal-free, composite synthetic resin fillings & why should you? 

1. Would you like your teeth to look naturally white & not darken or tarnish to an unsightly colour as occurs with regular silver or mercury amalgam fillings? Milford Dentists will colour match the tooth to your existing teeth for an undetectable finish, natural look & feel, compared to the longer term unsightly results from silver fillings.
2. Would you like stronger, longer lasting fillings than from silver or amalgam? White or composite fillings from Milford Dentists are made of materials that actually bond to your tooth tissue from the inside, strengthening your teeth and providing additional support for up to a decade.
   
   Because composite fillings can be created in smaller preparations, less of your tooth structure is lost and less drilling is also required. Once bonded, the composite filling will also not change shape over time and wear the same as your tooth keeping your dental repair stable & secure.
3. Would you like a longer term healthy mouth with a reduced chance of decay & bacterial buildup? Because
   

   

    our composite fillings are bonded with adhesive to your tooth structure, the tooth is strengthened & protected against decay or bacterial invasion. White fillings as compared to amalgam are not temperature-sensitive.
   
   Amalgam fillings expand and contract due to hot and cold environments, which can cause hairline fractures and tooth sensitivity.
   
   Tiny cracks in the amalgam material or between the filling and natural tooth structure may result in bacterial re-invasion, causing larger issues with decay than were initially encountered.
4. Are you pregnant, or allergic to metals used in traditional amalgam dental fillings? Amalgam dental fillings were developed from a range of metals (including mercury) as a low-cost alternative to gold. Amalgam gained popularity in dentistry despite concern by some over the potential toxicity of mercury, and recent testing by some has identified that very small amounts of mercury (in vapor form) can be released as the amalgam filling wears. 
   
   White fillings are made from acrylic & glass particles, contain no toxic substances, they can seal your tooth & stabilize its structure far more effectively than amalgam. Read about safe dental amalgam filling removal here

As with most dental repairs, although the results are not permanent and eventually require replacement, composite resin fillings are very durable and can offer what we at Milford Dentists believe is a safer, stable more effective solution to the repair of teeth. 

Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of composite resin vs traditional amalgam fillings and why we have haven’t placed a dental amalgam filling since 1999.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay, Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

Amalgam Filling Removal Safely Case 3 Replacing Mercury Fillings

This lovely lady from Browns Bay sought me out to safely remove all her old mercury amalgam fillings & replace them with either composite resin fillings or emax porcelain overlays. For these three teeth placing white fillings was clinically the best option.

3 Reasons for replacing old mercury amalgam/black fillings with white fillings instead of porcelain overlays or dental crowns

1. The old silver amalgam fillings are small and no structural cracks have formed in the tooth
2. The patient has requested just fillings to be placed - this is often due to cost as a filling option costs less than a dental crown option
3. There are long term problems with the overall health of the mouth and a more costly dental crown/overlay is not indicated eg maybe the patient has gum infection which may lead to easrly tooth loss or maybe the patient has active tooth decay that ideally should be brought under control first.

We opted to replace these three mercury amalgam fillings with colour matched white composite resin fillings. We placed a dental dam over the teeth. Dental or Rubber/Nitrile Dam placement has 4 advantages

1. Whilst always using powerful suction, when I section out the old mercury amalgam all the amalgam waste is removed and no waste enters the mouth
2. Whilst using rubber dental dam a smaller suction pipe or saliva ejector removes any mercury vapor and saliva from the mouth
3. Most people find rubber dam very comfortable and prefer treatment with this rather than without. Sometimes there is a bit of fiddling around to put the rubber dam on, but once in place the whole procedure takes less time.
4. Placing white composite resin fillings and porcelain dental crowns and overlays is all about perfect bonding technique. The great thing about adhesive dentistry or bonding white restorations to teeth is that the bond strengths are very strong. When biomemetic principles are followed the bond between your tooth and the new white filling or dental crown/overlay can mimic the strength of your original tooth. 
   
   Using dental rubber dam allows the tooth/teeth to be isolated from the moisture of your mouth ie your saliva. Using dental dam increases the predictability of the bonding process making for long lasting beautiful and strong tooth coloured restorations 

There was a lot of tooth decay under the two bigger mercury amalgam fillings. This was gently excavated & the composite resin fillings were bonded in using biomemetic bonding techniques

Everyone was happy with the final result and the treatment was uneventful both during and afterwards

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - especially ridding the world of mercury amalgam fillings - from Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

White Fillings To Mask Dead Black Or Grey Teeth - Case Study 1

4 Reasons Why Teeth Die And Go Black Or Grey

A dead or non vital tooth will often discolour or darken. Here's why.

1. Because the tooth has been hit hard and this percussion injury has killed the blood supply feeding into the tooth
2. Because the tooth has been snapped/fractured by trauma and the exposed nerve becomes infected with bacteria and dies
3. Because of tooth decay - once the tooth decay reaches the nerve the bacteria kill the nerve
4. And occasionally because of high temperatures created trying to fix a decayed badly broken down tooth

Case study - This lovely lady from Takapuna has been coming to Milford Dentists for a longtime. She asked me if I could improve the appearance of her two grey teeth. Both teeth had big big fillings, the nerves had died & both had been root filled (or endodontically treated). 

She did not have the budget for dental crowns so we opted to (inexpensively) mask the visible parts with a veneer build up of white composite filling material. If you imagine painting over something black to make it look white you need a white opaque layer

1. Closest to the tooth I bonded a very thin opaque layer which totally blocked out the grey tooth. But now I had 2 bright white teeth shining at me
2. I now placed a thicker layer of a natural tooth coloured composite resin that had a lovely opacity similar to tooth dentine. This layer looked good but the tooth still looked dull and lifeless
3. Finally I added a more translucent layer of white filling that mimics how enamel looks to make the teeth really shine

Here are the before  white fillings placed on the upper and lower premolar -

Here is the before and after photo

As with most dental repairs, although the results are not permanent and eventually require replacement, composite resin fillings are very durable and can offer what we at Milford Dentists believe is a safe, stable, effective solution for the repair of teeth in a lot of situations. 

Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of white composite resin fillings.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

Why Choose White Or Tooth Coloured Fillings

As children, for many with our first tooth cavities, there was but a single solution available from the dentist or dental nurse. A black filling.  They were commonly known as metal, sometimes as silver or amalgam but no matter what name you gave them, they were unsightly and very obvious. Now there are a range of choices available to you, and at Milford Dentists, since 1999 our exclusive choice for all filling work has been white fillings.

Unlike those silver metal (or amalgam) fillings of the past, white fillings (also known as composite resin fillings or tooth coloured fillings) are virtually invisible, long lasting and can be shaded by our dentists to expertly match the colour of your teeth. A beautiful and silver-less smile is now yours just for the asking!

Roll your mouse over the after image here to see the amalgam fillings prior to their replacement -All restorations here placed using Rubber dam to isolate each tooth and safely remove the mercury amalgam. If on mobile scroll to the bottom to see before and after images - Andrea

Composite fillings have become the preferred choice of dental filling material, are recommended by our staff and considered to be stronger, safer and more durable than traditional amalgam fillings.

Amalgam (or silver) dental fillings were initially developed as a low-cost alternative to gold restorations. Made from a combination of silver shavings, zinc, copper, tin, and mercury, amalgam fillings became the most popular and effective filling material for the repair of teeth affected by decay, cracks or fractures.

Amalgam gained popularity in dentistry despite concern by some over the potential toxicity of mercury, and recent testing has identified that very small amounts of mercury (in vapour form) can be released as the amalgam filling wears. While the FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above, research continues and it is recommended that should you be allergic to any of the metals in dental amalgam, you should discuss an alternative filling material with your dentist. 

Roll your mouse over the after image here to see the amalgam fillings prior to their replacement -All restorations here placed using Rubber dam to isolate each tooth and safely remove the mercury amalgam. If on mobile scroll to the bottom to see before and after images - Andrea

If you have you been diagnosed with a cavity, our alternative is white fillings. White fillings are made from acrylic and glass particles, contain no toxic substances, they can seal your tooth and stabilize its structure far more effectively than amalgam.

Although primarily used to restore decayed teeth, composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing tooth colour or reshaping disfigured teeth.

White or composite fillings from Milford Dentists are made of materials that more effectively bond to your tooth tissue from the inside, strengthening your teeth and providing additional support for many years. Because composite fillings can be created in smaller preparations, less of your tooth structure is lost and less drilling is also required. Once bonded, the composite filling will also not change shape over time and will wear at a similar rate to your own tooth, keeping your dental repair stable and secure.

White fillings as compared to amalgam are also significantly less temperature-sensitive. When eating/drinking hot and cold foods/drinks, amalgam fillings expand and contract which can cause hairline fractures and tooth sensitivity. Tiny cracks in the amalgam material or between the filling and natural tooth structure may result in bacterial re invasion, causing larger issues with decay than were initially encountered.

Although the results are long term,  as with most dental repairs, fillings will eventually require attention, however composite resin fillings are very durable option.

Want to know more about your choices for dental cavities and repair? Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of composite resin vs traditional amalgam fillings and why we have haven’t placed a dental amalgam filling since 1999.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

White Fillings versus Dental Amalgam Fillings

I have been staring at old dental amalgams for nearly 30 years wondering why the teeth containing them fracture or break up & why there is almost always dental decay beneath them when I go to fix them.

Silver Fillings vs White Fillings
At Milford Dentists, North Shore, I haven’t placed a Dental amalgam (silver/metal) filling since 1999. I have placed white fillings aka composite resin fillings successfully instead – this is because white filling bio-mimics tooth structure i.e. it behaves very similarly to the tooth that has decayed or snapped off that it is replacing 

But what is going on here? Why have I opted for Milford Dentists to be Mercury Amalgam Free since 1999?

Over the last couple of years clever researchers, some of whom are dentists have worked out why dental amalgam fillings end up making teeth snap, fracture & decay; eventually making the tooth fail. This has reinforced my own theories that Mercury Dental amalgam fillings are a disaster for teeth & conversely white composite resin fillings are a much better more biomimetic (life like) alternative.

There are a few physical processes going on when you have a dental amalgam filling sitting in your tooth.

1. Temperature changes making the filling expand & contract
2. The tooth cusps & dental amalgam filling all moving in different directions during chewing 
3. The actual dental amalgam cavity preparation destroying parts of the tooth that actually hold the tooth together

Temperature Change in Mercury

Around 50% of dental amalgam is made up of mercury. Mercury has been used in thermometers for years because it expands and contracts a great deal with temperature change. So when you, say, have a hot drink, the mercury in your dental filling heats up & expands making the filling bigger. This puts a whole lot of pressure on your tooth & eventually your tooth can’t take the strain & cracks/fractures/snaps.

Conversely when you have something cold to eat or drink – say ice cream, your filling contracts leaving a gap around it. Conversely, white bonded composite resin fillings have a similar co-efficiency of expansion as the tooth with temperature change i.e. composite resin expands & contracts just like your tooth with temperature variations. White fillings are also bonded or “glued” into the tooth cavity which means there are no gaps around the edges.

Everything is moving when you chew

When you chew you are putting a lot of pressure on your teeth (approximately 150-newton centimeters of torque). Surprisingly, for something so solid, a tooth will twist and bend a little under this pressure. In tests on teeth (in vitro), a tooth with a medium sized amalgam filling will flex 26 times more than a tooth with a similar sized bonded white filling.

In fact, the tooth with a bonded white filling will flex almost the same amount as a healthy tooth. This is because the white filling not only fills the cavity, it also bonds the tooth back together again biomimetically, so the tooth & white filling are swaying & twisting as one.

Essentially the teeth tested with the amalgam fillings are twisting & bending in all different directions i.e. the cusps are moving away from each other & the amalgam filling is jiggling around in the cavity, as the mercury amalgam is just a hole filler & does not “glue” anything to anything.

The actual dental amalgam cavity preparation

Because mercury dental amalgam is a hole filler it needs to be “keyed” or locked into the tooth by undercuts so that it doesn’t fall out. At dental school, this type of dental cavity preparation is called a “G V Blacks” cavity. The cavity shape destroys “girders” of enamel that hold the tooth together.

In the last 10 years, dentists have discovered that the tooth is a lot more complicated structurally than we had thought. There is a complex framework of stronger enamel spokes that connect together within a strong enamel rim running around the tooth on the biting surface. If the spokes and or the rim is cut during a dental amalgam cavity preparation the tooth is weakened, eventually leading to the tooth snapping.

Imagine trying to ride a bike with some of the spokes broken or part of the wheel rim missing.

As already mentioned a bonded composite resin filling glues the tooth back together & because white fillings are bonded they do not need to be “keyed” into the tooth. This means cavities for white fillings are smaller than corresponding cavity shapes for an amalgam filling. 

Read about safe dental amalgam filling removal here

A lot of the time teeth can be repaired using white composite resin filling material. As well as strengthening the tooth with the bond or "glue" holding each part of the tooth to the rest of the tooth these restorations look very natural -

If the tooth is weakened by tooth cracks or decay sometimes the optimal option to strengthen & hold the tooth together for the longer term & at the same time improving its appearance is a dental porcelain crown or overlay. This acts like a crash helmet for the tooth holding everything together.

Posted by Andrea Clarke BDS

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay, Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula.

White Fillings - How Long Will They Last ?

When considering dental restoration or repair, a common question asked by our current and prospective clients is “How long do white fillings last?"

However, although we have many clients with long-life white fillings; the answer is - it depends. 

While early research has shown that the average tooth – coloured filling lasts for a minimum of five years, our experience has shown there are many things both the dentist & the patient can do to extend the life of a white filling beyond that to ten years or more.

Continued below you will find a range of practical recommendations for increasing the longevity of your dental restoration work.

The Lifespan of A Filling

The lifetime of a filling is partly determined by choice of material used to fill the cavity. Is it silver or a white filling, porcelain or gold? There are advantages for differing filling types, where they are used, and the dental care and maintenance you provide that can all affect the life expectancy of a dental filling.

Is A White Filling Better Than Silver?

Composite or white fillings have become the preferred choice of dental filling material, are recommended by our staff and considered to be stronger, safer and more durable than traditional amalgam fillings.

At Milford Dentists, we have been amalgam free for all restoration work since 1999, and believe there is no advantage, (but instead a distinct disadvantage), to using dental silver amalgam vs. composite resins for reasons of durability. 

Why Choose White Fillings?

Our clients find tooth-coloured (or composite resin) fillings with their white tooth-like appearance, more aesthetically pleasing than silver amalgam fillings, and the adhesive nature of composite fillings allows us to perform what is termed "minimally invasive" dentistry enabling you to retain more of your original teeth.

New to Milford dentists? Discuss your personal dental history before deciding what is most effective & appropriate for you. Contact us here

What Is A White Filling

These are the very popular white, tooth coloured fillings for restoration and treating decay that blend seamlessly into your smile, making the dental work almost invisible. They are an incredibly strong, successful treatment for most cavities.

Because of the materials that Milford Dentists white (composite) fillings are made from, they bond to your tooth tissue from the inside, strengthening your teeth and providing them with additional support for many years.

Composite fillings cavities are smaller than a comparative amalgam cavity. This is because composite resin fillings are bonded into the cavity whereas amalgam filling, generally, is mechanically retained and the cavity needs undercuts and retention locks prepared into the hole to keep the mercury amalgam from falling out.This means less tooth structure is removed ie less drilling, when placing a white filling than when placing an amalgam filling. Once bonded, the composite filling does not change shape over time and will wear at a similar rate to your own tooth, keeping your dental repair stable and secure. 

Making Your White Fillings Last Longer

While many factors affect the longevity of fillings, remember that generally, all fillings will last longer if you take care of your oral hygiene with daily brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups.
The many factors for white filling longevity can include

• Filling Size

• Filling Location (On The Tooth Surface)

• Filling Location (In The Mouth)

• Clenching & Grinding

• Existing Dental Damage Or Issues

• Diet & Drinks

• Oral Hygiene

• Filling Materials Used

• Effective Dental Techniques

Filling Size

An important consideration for a white filling is, will the placing of the composite restoration be suitable for its application? Smaller fillings will generally last longer than a large filling because there are fewer issues that can occur, although, with continuing improvements in the composition of bonding materials, this is becoming less of consideration.

Clenching and Grinding

Do you clench or grind your teeth? If so, you may have more problems with your fillings. The additional forces placed on your teeth from grinding or clenching can lead to tooth sensitivity and extra wear on your fillings. These actions can also cause your fillings to crack or develop tiny vertical cracks (craze lines) in your teeth.

Smoking

Delays in oral healing and increased likelihood of gum disease cause considerably higher possibility of dental issues and failure of tooth restorations. If you are a smoker and are considering quitting – talk to us to see how we can help.

Dietary choices

Do you regularly drink carbonated or other high sugar drinks? These beverages you should be avoided or the frequency you have them decreased along with highly acidic things like, e.g., Grapefruit juice or apple cider vinegar gargles - using these regularly can damage the tooth enamel by dissolving it, increasing the possibility of problems occurring around your fillings.

Effective Dental techniques

Placing bonded restorations is very technique sensitive – so it is important your dentist use best practice standards and technique for long-life results for your fillings. The tooth requires proper isolation during the procedure, and composite restorations need a specific environment in which to be placed - completely saliva (moisture) free and dry when the resin material is being applied and cured. 

Do Composite Fillings Last A Lifetime Or Can They?

According to early findings, like from this small Belgian study, composite fillings can last between five and seven years on average, yet other recent larger reviews such as Opdam (2010) and Kim (2013) indicate 10 - 11 years.

With correct procedures and proper care and maintenance by you, we can significantly improve the lifespan of your white fillings. Also as new techniques, technology & materials are developed to extend the lifetime of all our dental procedures, we expect the longevity of tooth coloured fillings to continue to be extended.

So if you are considering a white filling, contact Milford Dentists to learn more or schedule a visit today. We will check out your dental history, discuss your treatment options, and get you back on track towards optimal oral health <  > with a brand new bright, white smile.

What Are White Fillings Made Of?

What Are White Fillings Made Of?

The purpose of a filling is to help restore your damaged or decayed teeth, to help them regain their normal function and shape. A white (or composite) filling is typically made of a tooth-coloured acrylic resin with a powdered glass mixture (hardened using a high-intensity blue light) which offers many advantages over an amalgam (or silver) filling. 

See our comparison of white fillings vs. amalgam here.

Due to the materials that the filling is made from, these natural coloured alternatives can be shaded to match the colour of your existing teeth, making them much less visible than silver. As more of our clients want natural-looking smiles, composite fillings have become increasingly popular, for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping damaged or misshapen teeth.

Composite or white fillings are our preferred choice of dental filling material, are recommended by our team, and we consider them to be stronger, safer and more durable than traditional silver amalgam fillings.

Do White Fillings Contain Mercury?

White or composite fillings do not contain mercury, while traditional amalgam (or silver or grey metal fillings) have typically 50% mercury in them along with tin, copper, silver or zinc. Many dental practices continue to use amalgam fillings which are considered by some as controversial, but at Milford Dentists, we have been amalgam - mercury free for all of our restoration work since 1999.

Durability and the preservation of your natural tooth are of great importance to us, so our team consider there to be no advantage, (but instead a distinct disadvantage), using dental silver amalgam vs. composite resins (white fillings).

You can find all the need to know facts about white fillings here.

Other options for fillings include gold and porcelain.

• Gold is one of the most durable and long-lasting options for dental restorations; however, gold fillings are amongst the most expensive and need to be mechanically retained, i.e., they need to be keyed into a cavity which can destroy tooth unnecessarily.
• Porcelain fillings are another indirect option that while higher in cost provide a very natural appearance, helps stop the spread of decay, protects the strength and function of teeth and can be used to correct an uneven tooth surface.

So although there is a range of options for fillings or restoration, contact Milford Dental today on (09) 489 6575, and we can help you identify the dental solution best suited to your needs.