Types of Dental Fillings and Filling Materials

A dental filling is a restorative procedure that restores a tooth’s strength, structure, oral health, and bite balance. A dental filling procedure is done under anesthetics to treat tooth decay, repair chipped, broken, fractured, worn down or gapped teeth.

Tooth sensitivity due to tooth decay is reduced when the dentist places a dental filling over the tooth. When you go for a dental filling treatment, the dentist will examine your teeth and discuss with you a suitable treatment plan.

After administering a local anesthetic, the decayed part is drilled out, and the area is prepared for a filling depending on the filling materials to be used. The material is then applied to the tooth to fill it.

Types of Dental Fillings

1. Indirect Fillings

Indirect fillings are tooth-coloured fillings made in the dental laboratory used when the remaining tooth structure is inadequate to support a filling. The procedure requires two dental visits for the preparation and placement of the patient’s teeth.

The dentist will first remove the decay and clean the teeth, then make an impression of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it. This impression is sent to the dental lab, where an indirect filling is made.

A temporary tooth filling is made and cemented on the tooth to protect it as the indirect filling is being made. Indirect fillings are categorized into two types; inlays and on-lays. Inlays are fixed within the cusps on the tooth’s chewing surface, while on-lays cover one or more cusps.

2. Temporary Fillings

These types of fillings are used for a short while before permanent fillings are put in place. They are used for fillings that require two or more appointments, like gold fillings. Temporary fillings are usually placed after a root canal to allow the tooth’s nerves to heal and in case of an emergency dental treatment like a toothache.

A temporary filling must be replaced with a permanent one before it wears out or fractures. If left for longer than a month, the tooth may become infected.

Types of Dental Fillings’ Materials

There are different types of materials used for dental fillings in Markham, ON.

1. Composite Resin Fillings Or White Cavity Fillings

A composite resin is made up of quartz particles and silica. The reflective property of silica gives these white fillings a colour similar to the enamel. These filings are chemically bonded to the tooth after the dentist has identified a shade matching the surrounding teeth.

White cavity fillings are suitable materials for teeth gap fillings. The dentist in Markham adds this tooth-coloured filling material to the side of the teeth right next to the gap.

Benefits of White Cavity Fillings

• Composite resin fillings support the tooth further since they are chemically bonded to it.
• These tooth-coloured fillings are cosmetically pleasing since they closely match the colour of the other teeth.
• The preparations required for these fillings spare the tooth structure as only a little part of it is removed to enable the filling to bond to the tooth.
• Their versatile nature enables them to repair chipped, worn down or broken teeth.
• They protect your tooth from temperature fluctuations since they do not heat or cool as fast as metal-based fillings. This lowers the risk of tooth sensitivity when taking hot or cold foods and beverages.
• White fillings do not contain chemicals or dangerous metals and are biocompatible.
• They are strong and do not contract and expand due to temperature changes which may damage the surrounding tooth structure.

2. Silver Fillings

They are also called amalgams and are made of mercury, silver, tin and copper. These filings are strong and more durable compared to composite fillings. Silver fillings require a large portion of the patient’s tooth to be removed to make adequate space capable of holding the fillings.

3. Ceramic Fillings

Ceramic fillings are made of porcelain and are tooth-coloured. There are resistant to staining.

4. Cast Gold Fillings

These fillings are a combination of gold, copper and other metals. Gold is used for dental fillings by patients who find it aesthetically pleasing. It is durable and strong.

5. Glass Ionomer Fillings

This type of material is made of a specific type of glass material and acrylic. Glass ionomers prevent the patient’s teeth from further decay as they release fluoride into the tooth. It is suitable for filling young children’s teeth or for filling below the gum line.