We’re excited to announce that we have introduced ‘CarieScan’ to our practice. It is basically a quick and easy way of detecting/measuring decay in a tooth before the need for filling and drilling.
Do you have an old filling which you can’t stand the sight of? Perhaps you wish you could have a cosmetically beautiful smile which doesn’t have that metallic silver look to it. The great news is there’s another choice – white composite fillings.
At Woodborough House, we offer the choice of both metallic and composite fillings. Traditionally amalgam or metallic fillings as they are otherwise known, were used to fill a cavity. An amalgam free filling is often required where aesthetics are important, which is generally where your teeth appear in the smile line and where there is not too much tooth tissue.
The benefits of amalgam-free fillings are that they are more aesthetically pleasing and can in some cases be stronger than metallic fillings because they are bonded to the tooth itself, which in turns places less strain on the tooth. This makes it a cost effective treatment in the long term.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings usually last up to 5-6 years which means they are fairly long lasting alternative to metallic fillings. Most people make suitable candidates for these type of fillings, including nursing mothers and pregnant women. You can prepare for a filling by relaxing and not thinking about the procedure too much. Generally, tooth coloured fillings can be more expensive as it is a more technically demanding procedure, as it requires a longer appointment time and the materials are more expensive.
There aren’t really any foods or dietary requirements to avoid when having a filling, but you can limit any further cavity damage by ensuring you have a good dental hygiene routine and avoiding excessively sugary foods and drinks.
Removing an old filling
If you have an amalgam filling you might like removing, mention it your dentist who will be able to assess it to determine if removing the amalgam will be beneficial to you. You won’t feel any pain during the removal process as your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic.
At Woodborough House we follow the strictest protocol for both patients and staff when it comes to the removal and disposal of amalgam fillings and we work to guidelines established by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Technology. If amalgam-free fillings or the removal of a filling sounds of interest, please give us a call today on 0118 984 3108 where one of our professional and friendly members of staff will be more than happy to help you.

Are you feeling self-conscious about your mouth of metallic fillings? Or perhaps you are considering the various dental options available and you’re feeling worried about the cosmetic appearance of how your teeth will look after treatment. You want your cavities to be filled, but you don’t want to feel embarrassed by your fillings and constantly hiding your teeth when you talk, or avoiding smiling in social situations. Before committing, you will want to weigh up the various options involved with this dental treatment.
There have been many advances in the field of fillings. Traditional dental fillings which are made with amalgam –a metallic filling which acts as a dental restorative material to fill cavities, are still a popular choice. The amalgam is made up of a combination of metals such as silver, mercury, tin and copper. The benefits of this are that the amalgam is less costly and is still commonly used in fillings today as it is easy to apply, whilst also being strong and durable. However, this option can be unsuitable for a number of reasons, for example if you’re pregnant, whilst some dentists have also raised health concerns because of its use of mercury.
Asides from this– amalgam fillings can make teeth look black, stain the surface of teeth and in extreme cases have also been known to corrode and even leak into the patient’s mouth. All of which can lead to an unpleasant experience.
Another Choice
Here at Woodborough House dental practice, we offer the choice of amalgam-free white fillings which can blend with the colour of your natural teeth. They are ‘white fillings’ and are made of advanced components which incorporate nanotechnology and fluoride-releasing materials.
This is an increasingly popular option, not only because of its dental health properties which are released over a period of time, but also because it looks more aesthetically pleasing as they are virtually unnoticeable on the teeth.
If you are having your amalgam fillings removed, you can also feel rest assured that our amalgam removal and disposal service works to the strictest protocol for both patients and staff, as we follow rules which are established by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.
If amalgam-free white fillings sound of interest to you, why not give us a call on 0118 984 3108 to find out more. One of our qualified team members will be more than happy to help.