White fillings are a more cosmetically acceptable way of replacing part of a tooth that has been lost because of decay or through accidental damage.

They come in a range of shades and can be matched to the colour of your own teeth and are less noticeable than silver fillings.

Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings, white filling material sticks to teeth. This means it can be used to repair front teeth that are chipped, broken, decayed or worn. It can also be used as a 'veneer' to cover any marks or discolouration that cleaning cannot remove.

White fillings are difficult to put into back teeth as they need very dry conditions, which can be hard to achieve right at the back of your mouth. They can sometimes be used if there is not too much decay or damage.

When you come to us to have a white filling we will usually numb the area around the tooth with an injection.

We then remove any decay, together with any old filling material, using a small, high-speed drill.

Next we wash and dry the tooth by blowing water and then air onto it.

The surface to be restored is then etched with a mild acid, to help the filling stick. It is then coated with a bonding agent and filling material pushed into it and shaped as needed.

The filling is then hardened by shining a bright light at it, inside your mouth. It is then trimmed and polished as necessary.