What are dental fillings?
These restorations are used to restore the structure, function and appearance of a tooth that's been damaged or decayed, alleviating tooth pain you may be experiencing.
Why are dental fillings used?
Fractures, cracks, and tooth decay can all be fixed by dental fillings. Dental fillings can sometimes be used to improve the appearance of your smile and help restore the functionality of your tooth.
What are some signs I may need a dental filling?
Here are some indicators that you may have a cavity that needs to be filled in your tooth, though you should still consult a dentist to be sure. Make an appointment with your dentist if you experience any of these:
- You feel a sharp or throbbing pain in your tooth.
- When you examine your teeth, you see a hole or dark spot.
- Your tooth is broken or chipped.
- Your tooth feels rough to the touch.
- Food keeps getting stuck between certain teeth.
- An existing tooth filling has broken or cracked.
- You've lost a tooth filling and need a replacement.
What are dental fillings made of?
A variety of materials, including amalgam, composite, porcelain, and gold, can be used to create dental fillings. Each of these materials has pros and cons for filling cavities and repairing decay, despite the fact that they are all secure and durable. Here, our dentists offer guidance on how to select the ideal dental treatment for you.
Porcelain Fillings for Strength & Appearance
Porcelain fillings are brittle, hard, and combined with metal; they are also known as inlays and onlays. These strong, tooth-coloured dental restorations are created in a dental lab and then sent back to your dentist for placement. Because they are stronger and longer-lasting than a typical dental filling, molars are frequently the site of their use.
You’ll usually need to attend two dental appointments so your porcelain filling can be placed in your mouth.
Composite Fillings for a Natural Look & Feel
Because they are very similar in colour to natural teeth, composite fillings tend to blend in well with the surrounding teeth.
They look and feel natural, and are popular with patients who are concerned with how amalgam (grey) fillings may appear on teeth that are visible when they smile.
Composites are popular among dentists because they are simple to apply to a tooth and can bond to it naturally. This means that when shaping the tooth, your dentist won't need to remove as much of the existing enamel.
Your dentist will remove tooth decay and add bonding material to the inside of the hole so the filling can be placed. Composite resin is then layered in the hole.
A curing light is used to harden each layer. When the last layer of resin has hardened, the filling will be carefully shaped to match your natural teeth.
Gold Fillings for Durability
Cast gold fillings are made using a model of your tooth. Created from a mix of gold combined with other materials such as copper and silver, a cast gold filling is created in a dental lab and sent back to your dentist.
Then, it will be fixed inside your mouth with dental cement. Although this kind of filling is the most expensive, it is also the most durable (usually lasting 20 years or more). Additionally, getting it placed will require at least two dental visits.