White Fillings
Tooth-coloured fillings and inlays are a relatively new solution to restoring holes made by decay. Their obvious advantage is that they blend in with the surrounding tooth much better than amalgam (metal coloured mercury) fillings.
The Treatment
Tooth coloured fillings
Old filling and/or decay is removed, the hole is cleaned and shaped before being filled with the tooth coloured paste (composite). The composite is placed in stages and set hard using an intense blue light. It is a type of plastic and actually bonds to the tooth.
Inlays
These can be made of cast metal, gold, plastic or "state of the art" porcelain. The hole is cleaned as before and an impression is taken of the teeth, which is used by a specialist technician to create a plaster cast. The inlay is modelled in detail on this cast to resemble the natural tooth and fit the hole perfectly. It is then bonded into place in the mouth.
The Options
PORCELAIN/GLASS INLAYS
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COMPOSITE FILLINGS
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AMALGAM FILLINGS
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ADVANTAGES-
most like natural tooth
-hardest wearing
-will not stain
-non toxic
-less destructive to tooth
-bonded to tooth
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ADVANTAGES-
-natural looking
-can eat immediately
-non toxic
-less destructive to tooth
-bonded to tooth
-increases strength
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ADVANTAGES-
-cheapest (from £20)
-durable
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DISADVANTAGES-
-can cause sensitivity
-most expensive (from £180)
-temporary inlay required
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DISADVANTAGES-
-can cause sensitivity
-stains with age
-less durable
-expensive (from £50)
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DISADVATAGES-
-chip and corrode with age
-unnatural appearance
-potentially toxic
-more tooth tissue removed
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Number of appointments
-two
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Number of appointments
-one
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Number of appointments
-one
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Life expectancy
Approximate - 5-20 years
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Life expectancy
Approximate - 2-10 years
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Life expectancy
Approximate - 5-15 years
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Recommended
-molars(double teeth)
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Recommended
back and front teeth
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Recommended
-back teeth
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