These are white coloured fillings essentially made of resin. After the tooth is prepared, the filling is bonded onto the area and a light shone onto it to set it. The dentist will choose a shade to match your own teeth, although over time staining can happen.

Amalgam fillings are silver coloured. They are made by combining mercury and a silver alloy (50% mercury, 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper and other metals). Amalgam is long lasting and hard wearing and has been used in fillings for at least 150 years.

The mercury in dental amalgam is not poisonous once it is combined with the other materials in the filling. Its chemical nature changes so that it is harmless.

Research into the safety of dental amalgam has been carried out for over 100 years.

So far, no reputable ‘controlled’ studies have found a connection between amalgam fillings and any medical problem.

Glass ionomer fillings form a chemical link with the tooth. They may also release fluoride, which helps to prevent further tooth decay. This type of filling is fairly weak. Because of this, they are usually only used on baby teeth and ‘non-biting’ surfaces such as around the ‘necks’ of the teeth. Little preparation is needed as the filling bonds directly to the tooth.

Porcelain inlays can also be made in a laboratory, this will need at least two visits to your dentist. Porcelain can be hard wearing and long lasting. It can also be coloured to match your natural tooth.

This is a type of all-ceramic crown with an appealing translucent colour which is combined with extra strength and durability.

This crown is made from a single block of lithium disilicate ceramic: this is a top grade material which has been harvested for its toughness, durability and opaque qualities which makes it a highly prized crown.

This type of crown is made from zirconia, a very strong material which is compatible with the human body. Zirconia is used in many other medical applications such as artificial joints and is known for its strength and durability.

Zirconia is a type of crystal which is long lasting and indestructible.

Plus there is no fear about the body rejecting zirconia or displaying an allergic reaction to it. It is safe to use and preferred by many people to porcelain fused to metal crowns.

Full porcelain crowns are sometimes recommended by the dentist for restoration work of upper and/or lower front teeth. In aesthetic terms full porcelain crowns are superior to porcelain fused to metal/gold crowns because they are produced using full porcelain thus allowing for a more natural appearance.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns (or PFM/PBC crowns) can be referred to as full-cast crowns which has porcelain fused to a metal core that covers the entire or part of the tooth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are relatively aesthetic restorations that have been in use for more than 40 years. In one way, they combine the best of both worlds, the metal core gives the crown strength and the porcelain fused on top will give the crown reasonable aesthetics. In some situations where an underlying greyish/dark colour need to be hidden, they can be the best aesthetic option present.