The purpose of fillings is to restore a tooth suffering from decay or damage back to it’s original condition.  When you visit for your routine checkup, the dentist will look in your mouth and use instruments that will help him to examine the surfaces of your teeth.

If he finds any cavities or evidence of decay, he will usually recommend a filling. If a filling is required, the dentist will remove the decayed area of the tooth, clean around it, then fill in the area that he has removed with a special material that will preserve natural shape and form of the tooth and prevent the loss of the tooth.

What Materials do Dentists Use?

Materials used for fillings include porcelain, gold, composite resin, glass ionomer and amalgam.  There isn’t really a best type of filling, as several factors are taken into consideration when selecting a material.  The material chosen depends to a great extent on the shape of the tooth, the type of repair, and where the filling is needed and perhaps even your reaction to the material.

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are made in a laboratory, then cemented into place by the dentist.  Gold material fits well with the gums, and can last you for many years.  Gold is considered by many to be the best, although it is also the most expensive, is not tooth coloured and may require you to visit the dentist several times before the filling will be complete.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings on the other hand, are less expensive than gold materials and they can be quite resistant to wear. Amalgam is composed of a mixture of silver, copper, tin and mercury. With their color being dark, they are easier to notice than composite or porcelain fillings, and aren’t recommended for visible areas of the mouth, especially the front teeth. Nowadays amalgam is not used as much, composite being the preferred material due to its more natural appearance.

Composite

Composite fillings match the color of your teeth producing a nice natural smile. A composite filling is a mixture of acrylic resin and finely ground glass-like particles. A composite filling is  placed directly in the cavity then set with a curing blue light to harden. Modern composite fillings are strong and wear resistant enough for use on even your back teeth.

Glass Ionomer

Glass Ionomer fillings are tooth coloured also but do not wear or polish  as well as composite fillings and are more commonly used in areas that are not too visible or have less biting wear.  Due to their excellent bonding properties, glass ionomer “sticks” very well to teeth and is also used under an amalgam or composite filling to help seal and protect the tooth.

Porcelain

The final type of filling is porcelain.  Porcelain fillings are produced in a laboratory. In the surgery it will be matched to your teeth then bonded to the affected tooth.  Porcelain fillings match the natural color of your teeth, and are resistant to any type of staining.  Porcelain fillings can be expensive, but offer a very hard wearing surface.

Cracks, Root Canals and Crowns

If a large area of your tooth has been damaged by tooth decay or even a crack you may need a crown. This crown covers the entire tooth for protection and is usually made from either gold, porcelain or even porcelain over gold.  A root canal treatment may be needed if the decay has reached the nerve and caused further problems. Root canals are filled with a material called Gutta Percha.  After removing the decayed area and treating any infection the dentist will then fill the hole with the most appropriate material.

At the end of the day your family dentist will be able to recommend the best filling for your purpose.