Fillings are used to fill holes (cavities) that have formed, usually as a result of decay or tooth wear. There are many types of filling, each suitable for different cavities.

Silver Fillings (find out more)

White Filling (find out more)

Silver fillings

Silver fillings are actually made of a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury. They are often referred to as amalgam fillings.

Amalgam safety
Some people have concerns about the safety of amalgam fillings. This is because, in large enough doses, mercury is toxic.
Very small amounts of mercury collect in our bodies from a number of sources including the environment, our food and our amalgam fillings. It is estimated that amalgam fillings account for a sixth of the average daily amount - about nine millionths of a gram.1

Extensive research has been done to investigate the effect of amalgam fillings on general health. No harmful effects from amalgam fillings have been shown and the World Health Organisation supports the continued use of amalgam fillings.1

However, dentists take special precautions when removing amalgam fillings, because drilling into the amalgam creates higher levels of mercury vapour. Your dentist uses extra water and suction to minimise the amount of vapour.

Although there is no evidence linking amalgam to birth problems, placing and removing amalgam fillings in pregnant women is generally avoided. Women should always tell their dentist if they think they may be pregnant so that their treatment can be planned accordingly.

The advantage of using amalgam is that it is extremely durable and able to withstand the grinding and chewing of the molar teeth over long periods of time. However, a very small number of people are allergic to metals in amalgam and may need to have an alternative restoration.

White Filling

Most people have fillings of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Many people don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look.

Can I receive white fillings on the NHS and is the treatment expensive?

Because many white fillings are classed as a cosmetic treatment, you can only have them done privately. So costs can vary quite a lot from dentist to dentist. Costs usually depend on the size and type of white filling used and the time it takes to complete the treatment. Costs may also vary from region to region, but your dentist will be able to give you an idea of the cost before you agree to treatment.