White fillings are also generally known as tooth-colored fillings since their color may be matched up with whichever tone of white your other teeth are. The expression ‘White Fillings’ most precisely represents composite resin teeth fillings, but may also include porcelain fillings.
How does composite resin vary from porcelain teeth fillings?
The obvious difference is porcelain fillings are made from porcelain, and not composite resin. Porcelain fillings are generally called inlays if they restore just the upper surface area of teeth, and onlays if they overlap more than one cusp.
Composite resin fillings may be performed in just one visit, however porcelain inlays and on-lays need a couple of visits as the “filling” is fabricated at a laboratory. It takes approximately 2 weeks to produce the porcelain inlay or on-lay.
How are on-lays different from crowns?
Porcelain crowns encase the whole tooth right down to the gum line. On lays only cover the weakened areas on the outside of the tooth and do not stretch to the gum line.
Are white fillings superior to silver or metal fillings?
Most cosmetic dentists offer only white fillings-composite resin and porcelain fillings for the following reasons
White fillings get rid of any of the problems connected with mercury/silver fillings.
White fillings merge so well with your other natural teeth, they are almost undetectable, while silver fillings may show through the teeth enamel and also are quite noticeable on the surface.
They are firm and reliable and do not contract or expand as most metal fillings do.
White fillings bond to your teeth thus preventing gaps between the tooth enamel and the fillings that may otherwise encourage bacteria to cause tooth decay. White fillings need less of your tooth to be drilled away for fillings when compared with silver/mercury fillings, keeping your tooth healthier with much more natural composition.
White Fillings
