White fillings started as a cosmetic alternative for anterior teeth (front teeth). There are several types of white fillings, but the two most used in everyday practice here in Ipswich are glass ionomers and composites.
Glass ionomers are white fillings that usually are less aesthetic/cosmetic or natural-looking compared to composites and are less hard-wearing, but they contain varying amounts of fluoride which is a compound that makes teeth more resistant to decay.
Composites are white fillings that are usually more aesthetic or cosmetic than glass ionomers.
Composites bond very well to enamel and are very useful nowadays, not only for cosmetic reasons but also as effective solutions when we need to build up short teeth which have been worn down by a hard bite or an abrasive diet.
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