What are white fillings made of?

White fillings can be Ceramic, Resin or Glass Ionomer compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. White fillings are popular because they look natural when you laugh, talk and smile. They don’t have any mercury in them unlike the old silver amalgam fillings.

White fillings are also called composite fillings and blend well with tooth enamel. A composite filling usually requires only one visit, during which the tooth is prepared and restored. An advantage of composite fillings over amalgam fillings is that they require less healthy tooth removed to hold the filling in place. This is due to composite materials ability to bond to teeth adhesively. Although composites are preferable for cosmetic reasons, if the decayed area in the tooth is large or is subject to heavy chewing pressure, or below the gumline then we may recommend alternative materials such  as gold, amalgam or ceramic. Ceramic white fillings may be more expensive than other dental materials, but most patients find these natural-looking restorations well worth the additional cost.

White resin fillings may require periodic replacement as the edge of the filling eventually pulls away from the tooth, allowing bacteria between the filling and the enamel. Regular dental check-ups are important because they allow the dentist to detect a problem in this early stage.

In the end – every restorative material has advantages and disadvantages. …Composite resin white fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam.