Overview:

In modern dentistry, dental fillings have two major purposes: to prevent the progression of cavities in teeth, and retain a natural look for those teeth. The most common use of dental fillings is to treat a dental cavity. Dental fillings can also be used to treat cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down. As the name suggests, a dental filling is used to fill a hole in a tooth created by dental decay, cracks or breaks. Once put in, dental fillings help stop the progression of a cavity as cavities are painful and cause sensitive teeth. Dental fillings eliminate this pain and sensitivity. The procedure is fast and painless.

The Procedure:

What happens at the appointment to have your cavity filled? You can expect the dentist to numb the area around the affected tooth. After a few minutes you will not feel any pain and the dentist can work freely. The next step is to remove the decaying material from the tooth. This stops the cavity from progressing after the dental fillings are in place. The dentist will assess how much tooth to remove to stop the decay. If the decay is nearing the root the dentist may sometimes apply a composite resin to protect the nerves. Once the filling material is in place a light is used to harden the filling.

Types of Fillings:

• Composite (white) fillings: Also referred to as resin fillings, they are a moderate cost, tooth-colored composite of glass or quartz in a resin. Their advantages include good durability, resistance to fracture and ability to withstand moderate chewing loads. Because of their bonding property and the smallness of tooth structure removed, they result in smaller fillings and more conservative repair to the tooth.
• Porcelain (ceramic) fillings: This class of fillings include porcelain, ceramic or glass-like fillings. Porcelain fillings may require more than one visit. Although they are highly resistant to wear, they are prone to fracture when under tension or upon impact.
• Gold alloy fillings: Gold alloy fillings are highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing. These fillings are very strong and resist fracture and wear and allow the dentist a minimal amount of tooth structure. The main disadvantages of gold alloy fillings may be their higher cost and their color.