Dental Fillings
Fillings are a common dental procedure used to repair decayed, cracked, and broken teeth. Fillings can help save the natural tooth, even when mild tooth decay has already set in.
Why Are Fillings Used
Fillings are often used to treat the natural teeth when they are affected by tooth decay. When the tooth enamel is worn down, small holes in the teeth known as cavities form. As bacteria and other substances settle into a cavity, a tooth may begin to decay.
If cavities are not filled while they are minor, further decay may cause them to become bigger. At a certain point, tooth decay may spread. The tooth may need to be pulled and replaced with dental implants, bridges, or other dental work. Fillings are often used to prevent or delay these procedures.
By treating decay and preventing further damage to the tooth or teeth, fillings can also reduce tooth sensitivity felt in the area of the tooth that is decaying.
What to Expect During Filling Procedures
Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to the area around the tooth or teeth to be filled. Next, the decayed area of the tooth will be removed using a dental handpiece and other dental instruments. Once the cavity has been fully rinsed and cleaned out, your dentist will apply the filling and harden the material with a special bonding light.
The specific steps for filling the tooth and completing the procedure depend on the type of filling you’ve selected. If the damage is near the root of the tooth, a liner may also be used to protect the nerve before the filling is placed.
Types of Fillings
Dental fillings can be made of various materials, including:
- Gold
- Porcelain
- Dental amalgam
- Composite resin
- Ceramics
- Glass ionomer
Dental amalgam fillings used to be the most commonly used type of filling in Canada. However, bonded composite resin fillings are now the most popular choice of restorative material.
Composite resin is an acrylic tooth-coloured material that is often used when patients want their fillings to match the colour of their natural teeth. Resin fillings are often more expensive than dental amalgam fillings because they require more tools and work. Resin fillings do strengthen the teeth due to them being bonded to the tooth.
The type of filling you choose with your dentist may depend on several factors, including the level of tooth decay and its specific location within the tooth structure, and the costs of the materials and whether they are covered by dental insurance. If you have an allergy to mercury or other metals, your dentist may recommend composite fillings instead of amalgam, as amalgam fillings contain small amounts of mercury.
You may also choose a specific type of filling based on aesthetics. For example, composite resin may be more desirable for a lower molar because the tooth is more visible than an upper molar.
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