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Oral Health
Tooth Fillings
What are fillings?
Teeth that have been affected by tooth decay (caries or cavities) require a
filling. Advances in dental materials and techniques provide new, effective ways
to restore teeth.
There are several different types of restorations, including:
- direct restorations - require a single visit to place a filling directly into a
prepared cavity. Materials used for these filings include dental amalgam, also
known as silver fillings; glass ionomers; resin ionomers; and some composite
(resin) fillings.
Amalgam fillings have been used for decades, and have been tested for safety and
resistance to wear. Dentists have found amalgams to be safe, reliable, and
effective for restorations.
Glass ionomers are tooth-colored materials made from fine glass powders and
acrylic acids. These are used in small fillings that do not have to withstand
heavy pressure from chewing. Resin ionomers are made from glass with acrylic
acids and acrylic resin.
- indirect restorations - require two or more visits and include inlays, onlays,
veneers, crowns, and bridges. These are constructed with gold, base metal
alloys, ceramics, or composites. At the first visit, a dentist will prepare the
tooth and make an impression of the area that will be restored. At the second
visit, the dentist will place the new restoration into the prepared area.
For an indirect restoration, a dentist may use an all-porcelain, or ceramic,
application. This material looks like natural tooth enamel in color and
translucency. Another type of indirect restoration may use the porcelain that is
fused to metal, which provides additional strength. Gold alloys are used often
for crowns or inlays and onlays. Base metal alloys are used in crowns and are
resistant to corrosion and fracture. Indirect composites are similar to those
used for fillings and are tooth-colored, but they are not as strong as porcelain
or metal restorations.
Other alternatives to restoring damaged or decayed teeth:
- porcelain veneers - a ceramic material is bonded to the front of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape.
- crown - a "cap" that covers a cracked or broken tooth, unfixed by a filling, to approximate its normal size and shape.
- cast gold restorations - this type of restoration is often more costly and may require more than one dental fitting.
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