There are two types of white filling – direct and indirect – and they are based on when the light is used during the curing procedure. Direct white fillings or dental composites are hardened with a curing light after the white filling material is used to fill the cavity, then moulded to match the tooth’s shape. This direct procedure is used for dental treatments such as disguising gaps, tooth-reshaping and fillings.

In the indirect procedure, the white filling material is first cured with light in a lab; before it is placed within the mouth. This method is used more frequently for larger tooth cavities, reshaping, inlays & onlays and partial crowns.