Repair teeth with tooth-colored fillings
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To treat a cavity our dentists will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material was removed.
Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).
What are the 4 Main Tooth Filling Materials?
There are four main types of filling materials, and every type has their own specific advantages and disadvantages. Ahead, we'll break down the differences between the filling materials.​
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Amalgam fillings: Amalgam fillings have been used for nearly 150 years, and have been the tried and true dental filling material for nearly as long. Amalgam fillings are made of a mixture of metals including liquid (elemental) mercury and a powdered alloy of silver, tin and copper. Though the popularity of amalgam fillings have waned in favor of natural-looking composite fillings, amalgams are still widely used due to their reliability, affordability, and durability. ​
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Composite Fillings: Composite fillings are the most popular type of filling material used today, due to their natural appearance combined with fair durability and cost. They are made of a “composite” of silica, powdered glass, or other ceramic particles in an acrylic resin base, and custom-matched to your natural tooth color. After your dentist thoroughly removes and cleans away the decay from your tooth, they will apply the composite resin in layers directly to the tooth. A special blue light is also applied to cure the resin, which helps it bond with the tooth and makes the material harder and more durable. The result is very natural looking, and the entire procedure is easily completed in one visit.
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Gold Fillings: Gold fillings adhere strongly to tooth structure and are highly biocompatible with gum tissue. They are usually composed of about 75% gold combined with about 25% other metals (like silver or palladium) to increase durability. They are extremely resistant to wear and fracture, and do not wear away opposing teeth. Gold fillings require more than one office visit to place because they need to be crafted by a dental lab from an exact mold of your teeth.
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Porcelain Fillings: Porcelain fillings belong in a specific category of dental restoration called “indirect fillings,” and are called “inlays” and “onlays.” They are typically only used for molars and premolars which have sustained too much damage to support a filling, but not so much damage that a crown is necessary.
What steps are involved in filling a tooth?
First, our dentists will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth to be filled. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as the location and extent of the decay.
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Next, our dentists will probe or test the area to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, They will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, our dentists may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in they will finish and polish it.​
Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that "cures" or hardens each layer is applied. When the multilayering process is completed, our dentists will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off any excess material, and polish the final restoration.
