Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are single or combinations of metals, plastics, glass or other materials used to repair or restore teeth. One of the most popular uses of fillings is to “fill” an area of tooth that your dentist has removed due to decay – “a cavity.” Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse

Dental filling materials include:

Gold.
Porcelain.
Silver amalgam (contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper).
Tooth-colored, plastic and glass materials called composite resin fillings.

Advantages:

Gold: Lasts at least 10 to 15 years, some say gold presents a pleasing appearance.
Silver fillings (amalgams): Lasts at least 10 to 15 years, less expensive than composite fillings.
Tooth-colored composite fillings: Shade can be closely matched to color of existing teeth, bonds to existing tooth providing additional support, commonly used for repairs other than cavity filling, sometimes less tooth needs to be removed compared with amalgams.
Ceramics/porcelain: Lasts more than 15 years, more resistant to staining than composite resin material.
Glass ionomer (acrylic and a specific type of glass material): Mostly used for fillings below the gum line, releases fluoride that can help protect from further tooth decay.

What are indirect fillings?

Indirect fillings are similar to composite or tooth-colored fillings except that they are made in a dental laboratory and require two visits before being placed. Indirect fillings are considered when you don’t have enough tooth structure remains to support a filling, but your tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown.

Dental Fillings

Dental Fillings

Advantages:

What are indirect fillings?

Dental Treatments