At SW1 Dental Studio & Implant Clinic we fundamentally believe in prevention and recommend our patients to have dental examinations every 6, 8 or 12 months depending on their clinical need. These examinations are crucial in the early detection and treatment of dental decay which will need a filling.
Fillings
Fillings are restorations of the tooth; the restoration can be a white or silver metal filling. Silver Metal fillings are made of a material called amalgam. At SW1 Dental Studio & Implant Clinic we don't use Amalgam because of possible long term 'Mercury' release.
White fillings are made of a durable white filling material (composite of fine glass and plastic in a resin) that does not carry mercury and has great aesthetics. An alternate type of white/tooth coloured filling known as glass ionomer fillings are made of acrylic and fine glass powder which contain and release fluoride into the tooth to help protect the tooth from decay. This is often used for core build-ups prior to crowns.
There are differnet types of composite materials. We use a very high quality German composite that is long lasting and we are able to match to the shade of your tooth, so the filling is almost invisible. Composite Fillings are used for;
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Filling dental cavities – 'white fillings' for small and medium sized cavities. Larger cavities will require a lab made restoration like a Ceramic inlay or onlay, with the problematic area potentially experiencing high forces of chewing.
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Replacing metal or amalgam fillings
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Repairing broken and chipped teeth
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Closing gaps between teeth (diastemas)
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Reshaping teeth
Almost Invisible Tooth Repairs
As the composite material is pliable and can be so well matched to your teeth, we are able to use it to build up small breaks and chips on your teeth. The procedure is similar to that for a filling, but in a repair- thin layers of composite are applied to the damaged area and carefully shaped to ensure a great result.
Composite "White" Fillings
At SW1 Dental Studio & Implant Clinic all composite or 'white' fillings are carefully matched to the shade, translucency, and even to the texture of your natural teeth. Through meticulous application and shaping, we create discrete, strong and long-lasting fillings.
Replacing metallic fillings
Removing old Amalgam or 'silver' coloured fillings and replacing them with composite is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to improve the appearance of your teeth.
The restoration is completed in one visit and your fillings will not be visible when you smile.
Composite bonding & Reshaping
Composite bonding can transform your smile in just a single visit!
This mouldable compound is made from a variety of resins and fillers, and can be contoured and colour-matched to suit the exact shade of your teeth.
To ensure you benefit from strong, long lasting and almost invisible results, we use the very best of materials and layering techniques to achieve ideal aesthetics and strength for the following treatments:
Reshaping Teeth
Thin layers of bonding composite can be used to alter the shape of the teeth and close small gaps between them. In the experienced hands of Dr Leyland or Dr Eskander at SW1 Dental Studio & Implant Clinic, this simple procedure can give your teeth a makeover and create the smile you've always wanted
The restoration is completed in one visit and your fillings will not be visible when you smile.
Side Effects
The most common side effect to having a composite filling is sensitivity post treatment. This could occur when consuming cold or sweet items and is most likely in situations where the cavity is deeper. This can happen because the inner layers of the dentine have nerves embedded into them. With filling material containing plastic within, it has the ability to slightly flex when put under pressure. When chewing, for example, the flexing can disturb those nerves creating sensitivity.
Alternatively because of the strength of the composite filling once set hard, if the filling is made too high you will not be able to grind it down yourself and so that tooth will then take more force than your other teeth, once again disturbing the nerves within which will lead to sensitivity. To avoid this problem your dentist will often check the bite several times and then make adjustments as necessary.
Glass ionomer fillings are not as strong once they set as hard as composite fillings and so they often do not create these above issues.
This patient had composite Bonding by Dr Eskander to improve the aesthetic of his teeth.
This patient had composite bonding by Dr Leyland to close the spaces between her top front teeth.