DENTAL FILLINGS

What are dental fillings?

Dental fillings repair and restore teeth that have been damaged by decay. Dental fillings are a common procedure, and they can be performed on patients of all ages.

Dental fillings can be made out of a variety of materials, including composite resin, porcelain, gold, or amalgam. Your dentist will work with you to choose the material that best matches your dental needs and aesthetic preferences.

Silver fillings

Silver fillings have been used by dentists for generations. This durable material makes it possible for us to restore teeth damaged by decay.

Silver fillings are strong and very durable. Plus, they’re the same color as your teeth, which makes them look and feel natural.

Composite fillings

Metal amalgam fillings were once the most common type of dental fillings. Dentists have now switched to using tooth-colored dental fillings, or composite fillings, for most patients.

Metal dental fillings were effective in sealing and repairing the dental cavity. Unfortunately, the metallic color of the filling is highly visible in the mouth. This can make the affected tooth stand out from surrounding teeth, especially if the tooth is in the front. Composite fillings, on the other hand, are used to repair dental cavities and to restore teeth that have been affected by different types of decay.

Composite fillings blend in seamlessly with the natural color of the tooth, which makes them much more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, composite fillings require less removal of tooth enamel than amalgam fillings do. Composite dental fillings are slightly more expensive than metal amalgam fillings. However, many patients feel that the aesthetic benefits of composite fillings make them worth the additional cost.

Tooth-colored fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are an excellent option for repairing minor dental decay. Unlike metal fillings, composite resin fillings can be color matched to blend in seamlessly with your natural tooth color. This makes them ideal for repairing teeth damaged by cavities, fractures, or wear and tear.

Gold fillings

Gold fillings contain 50% gold by weight. The rest is composed of mercury, silver, copper, and other metals. The mercury is mixed with the other metals, which hardens the amalgam.

Amalgam fillings

Amalgam fillings are a silver-colored filling material. These fillings have been around for decades, but they have become controversial in recent years. Many patients prefer less noticeable fillings, such as porcelain, composite resin, or glass ionomers.

Amalgam fillings do have their benefits. They are very hard and can withstand heavy biting forces. This makes them a good choice for back teeth, where chewing forces can be high. They are also inexpensive, making them a common choice for many dentists.

Tooth-sparing fillings

Tooth-sparing fillings, also referred to as composite resin fillings, are an alternative to traditional metal fillings. Tooth-sparing fillings have a number of advantages.

1. Tooth-sparing fillings can strengthen teeth.

A tooth-sparing filling is a more tooth-friendly material than metal, which means a tooth-sparing filling will reinforce a weakened tooth.

2. Tooth-sparing fillings look more natural.

Tooth-sparing fillings can be color-matched to blend in with the surrounding teeth, which means your fillings will be less noticeable.

Dental inlays

Inlays are similar to fillings in that they repair a damaged or decayed tooth. They differ from fillings in that they’re made outside of the mouth at a dental laboratory and then bonded into place. Inlays can be made of porcelain or composite resin, and they can be used to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, or discolored.

Dental onlays

When dental fillings are large or deep within a tooth, or a tooth has sustained heavy damage, we may recommend an onlay. This restorative solution is similar to a traditional dental filling, but onlays are larger and are generally used when a tooth has sustained heavy damage. An onlay covers and protects a damaged tooth like a shield.