Once decay has taken hold in a tooth, it will continue to damage more and more of the tooth, becoming more painful until treated by a dentist. A filling repairs the damage caused by decay and stops any more bacteria from entering the tooth. Fillings can be made of a number of different materials and can be used to repair any tooth in the mouth.
Types of fillings
1. Composite fillings are a popular and natural-looking solution made of resin. Composite resin is soft and malleable so it can be shaped to fit the cavity. Blue light is then used on the composite to harden it. The finished result is very durable and is colored to match natural teeth.
2. Amalgam fillings were the norm for many years but have fallen out of favor in recent years. Amalgam is a mix of metal alloys that are soft when being used to restore a cavity but harden once in place. Amalgam contains minute traces of mercury, which has turned many people away from the product. It’s also a dark color that starkly contrasts with the surrounding tooth.
3. Gold fillings are a long-lasting and durable alternative but are rarely used these days. The cost of a gold filling is generally higher than a silver amalgam, and the color does not match natural teeth.
4. Porcelain is used to make on lays and inlays – restorations that are used when a large amount of tooth structure has been removed. On lays and inlays retain a more natural tooth structure than a crown and will strengthen a weakened tooth. Modern technology has made it possible for these restorations to be manufactured in your dentist’s surgery. First and foremost, thanks to modern anesthetics and the way they are administered, getting a filling is virtually painless. Your dentists will start by numbing the tooth and the area around it, then removing any decay with a drill, air abrasion unit, or a laser. The objective is to leave as much sound, natural tooth structure as possible. The cavity will then be disinfected and dried before a filling material (usually composite resin) is put in place. Once the material has hardened, the dentist will shape it to look and feel just like a natural tooth.