Fillings for teeth can be made from a variety of materials, including amalgam, porcelain, gold, and composite resins. In addition to being safe and long-lasting, there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of material.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are plastic tooth-coloured fillings that look and feel natural when placed in a patient's mouth. This material is what is used at New Minas Dental Centre.
Composite fillings are the same colour as your natural teeth, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth. These materials are also relatively easy to shape and mould onto teeth, and because they bond naturally to teeth, your dentist will not have to remove as much existing enamel during the preparation process.
As the first step in placing this type of filling, your dentist will remove decay from the tooth and then apply bonding material to the inside of the cavity. Thin layers of composite resin will then be poured into the cavity. Each layer will harden to a solid state with the assistance of a curing light. When the final layer of the filling has solidified, your dentist will shape the filling so that it matches the shape of your natural teeth.
Porcelain Fillings
A strong, tooth-coloured dental restoration is created by combining hard and brittle porcelain fillings with metal, which results in a tooth-coloured dental restoration.
A porcelain filling is created in a dental lab and returned to your dentist, who cements it in place in your mouth. It is typically necessary to schedule at least two dental appointments to complete the procedure.
Amalgam Fillings
Silver in colour, amalgam fillings are frequently used to fill teeth located at the back of the mouth. They are a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, copper, and tin, among others.
While the silver colour may not be appealing to people who prefer a more natural appearance, they tend to last longer than other materials as they can withstand a great deal of pressure.
Gold Fillings
To create a cast gold filling, a model of your tooth must be created. A mixture of gold and other metals, such as silver and copper, is used to create these pieces.
Much like porcelain fillings, this type of dental filling is made in a dental lab and then returned to your dentist. Your dentist will then cement it into place inside your mouth. This type of dental filling will typically require at least two dental appointments to complete.