White fillings are made from composite resins, which are newer, advanced materials that have two main advantages over amalgam (Silver) fillings.

They can be matched to the tooth colour of the tooth being restored, giving you a more aesthetic finished result. It can also be bonded to the tooth structure making the tooth almost as strong as it was before the decay started.

Inlays

To fill large cavities your dentist may recommend a laboratory hand-crafted inlay. An inlay is a section of porcelain or gold that precisely fits the prepared cavity.

Before an inlay

After an inlay

Porcelain inlays are colour matched to your existing tooth structure and will be almost undetectable from natural teeth. The inlay is bonded to a tooth, rather than cemented and this will help to strengthen the remaining tooth structure.

They are exceptionally durable and because of their beauty and function are highly recommended for tooth restorations.

Gold onlay

Occasionally, when more tooth surface is lost, the tooth may be fitted with a gold onlay. This is similar to an inlay, but rather than sitting on the tooth, it can cover the sides of the tooth also.