A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-coloured fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).
Gold fillings are made to order in a laboratory and then cemented into place. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues, and may last more than 20 years. For these reasons, many authorities consider gold the best filling material. However, it is often the most expensive choice and requires multiple visits.
This is a popular filling. Silver amalgam filling contains more than silver — it is a combination of other minerals, including tin, zinc, copper and mercury. It is a common choice because it is sturdy, long-lasting and less pricey than other options. A normal silver amalgam filling can stand up to 12 years of use. Dentists find it easy to use because it is malleable.
The main drawback is that it is not aesthetically pleasing, so it is not the best choice for a visible tooth. The material can also respond to temperature changes by contracting and expanding, causing the tooth to crack. The fluctuations may create a gap between the filling and tooth, ushering in food and bacteria and the formation of new cavities. Despite the controversy surrounding mercury in silver amalgam, the filling material has been declared safe for use.
Composite fillings are created from plastic and resin material. It is placed inside the tooth while it is soft and hardened with a bright curing light. It is a common option because it can be customised to match the colour of the patient’s existing teeth, so it is not as conspicuous as the silver amalgam filling. Also, composite fillings are not as long-lasting as some other types. They can survive from up to five to 10 years, after which a replacement might be required.
They are created using porcelain material, which makes it both durable and cosmetically appealing. Ceramic fillings cost more than other fillings, but they are tooth-coloured and resist stains and abrasion better than composite resin.
The drawback of using ceramic filling over composite is that it is more brittle and, therefore, has to be used on large cavities to prevent breakage. The dentist can enlarge the area to make room for the extra bulk.
They are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the colour of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to gold.
If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, a crown, or cap, may be recommended. Decay that has reached the nerve may be treated in two ways: through root canal therapy (in which nerve damaged nerve is removed) or through a procedure called pulp capping (which attempts to keep the nerve alive).
