HIGH QUALITY COMPOSITE RESINS
Natural, tooth-like appearence
Longevity of aesthetic white fillings is estimated at 5 years just like traditional white fillings. However, the high level of gloss and polish of their surface makes it more difficult for dental plaque to be collected, and therefore they are protected by secondary caries.
Aesthetic white fillings are manufactured with high quality composite resins which mimic the characteristics and appearance of natural teeth. The guidelines for an aesthetic filling are the same with the ones of a traditional white filling but with some main differences. The aesthetic appearance is emphasized, absolute color match with the surrounding tooth structure is achieved and dental morphology with cusps and fissures is reproduced in order for the tooth to look like it was never damaged and restored. Since no tooth is monochromatic, in order to reach a top level of aesthetic result, the appropriate composite colors and translucencies are chosen before dental treatment, a process known as multi-layer stratification technique, and then they are consecutively placed in layers, mimicking natural teeth. The aesthetic composites have a unique composition which allows them to reflect, scatter and absorb light exactly as natural teeth do. This results in natural-looking restorations with no visible margin between the white filling and the tooth. Due to their optimum occlusal anatomy, correct occlusion is obtained, without having the feeling that the restored tooth is bigger or stands taller than it should, or that you cannot close the other side of the mouth. White fillings are chosen in cases where old amalgam fillings need to be restored, for closing gaps between teeth which may result in collecting food debris and harm gingival health, when teeth are eroded from acids or tooth substance is lost, when roots are visible due to gingival recession, for sensitive teeth, defected white fillings, fractured fillings or teeth, discolored fillings or old white fillings which don’t look appealing.
The process of placing an aesthetic white filling is similar to the one of traditional white fillings and when performed by a specialist dentist in aesthetic dentistry, requires minimum extra time for its fulfillment in comparison to a traditional white filling without the ideal color matching and occlusal morphology. The fillings are replaced in a single visit at Smiles Dental Clinic. Since most of the times aesthetic white fillings are placed at anterior teeth, it is advised that when more than one tooth is included, to treat all teeth at the same visit, in order to achieve the perfect shade and morphology matching. A treatment of 3-4 anterior teeth is expected to last 2-3 hours, while duration may be longer, 3-5 hours, when a total anterior teeth makeover is needed. When tooth damage is minimal, a white filling can be placed without any discomfort and local anesthesia is not needed. In cases of larger or deeper restorations, dental treatment is performed under local anesthesia and is therefore completely painless.
The treatment starts with the removal of damaged tooth tissue or the removal of defect old filling and the tooth cavity is cleaned and proper shape is given. Following to that, tooth surface is properly pre-treated in order for the placement of the restorative material to follow. Chosen composite shades are placed in layers and hardened with a high-intensity polymerization light, which ensures proper composite hardening. Polishing and occlusion check is followed, while in some cases, external staining is placed in order to fully customize the appearance of the tooth and provide a matching appearance with neighboring teeth, e.g. copying white or dark spots that adjacent teeth may have.
