The teeth filling is an artificial restoration which is used to treat and restore a tooth cavity or a damaged tooth back to its original function and appearance.
We will recommend the right type of dental filling for you.
Types of Dental Fillings
There are different dental filling materials that can be used when treating cavities and damaged teeth.
Common types of dental fillings include; amalgam, composite resins and porcelain (inlays and onlays). Depending on the extent of the problem, your needs and budget, we will recommend the right dental fillings for your case.
Amalgam Fillings
Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of mercury, silver, tin, and copper.
Amalgam fillings are durable and effective and they may last on average for about 15 years before needing to be replaced. The length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth. It’s been in use and extensively studied for 150 years as a restorative material.
Although they are a popular low cost option, amalgam fillings have a poor aesthetics as they are silver or grey in colour and so they stand out on the tooth.
Tooth Coloured Composite Resin
Composite resin dental fillings are very popular among other dental fillings as they can be closely matched to the colour of the existing teeth and less tooth structure needs to be removed than with amalgam fillings. They chemically bond to the tooth structure and so they provide further support.
While composite fillings are not as strong as amalgam dental fillings, they are still quite strong and can last for many years with the proper care. They can last at least 5 years while at some instances they can last up to 10 years or more. Composite resin fillings are pricier than amalgam ones.
Indirect dental restorations
Indirect dental restorations include specially customised dental fillings that are fabricated by a dental lab using materials such as porcelain, resin composite or ceramic. The molded filling which is similar in appearance to a natural tooth is then bonded into place.
Indirect fillings are often designated for individuals with severe decay or when there is inadequate tooth structure to support a traditional dental filling but a dental crown is not required. Indirect fillings are a mid solution between a typical dental filling and a crown and require at least 2 dental visits for the procedure to complete.
Inlays
Inlays are look alike as the traditional fillings but the restoration is performed within the tooth’s cusp. They are custom made to fit into the cavity of the tooth and are extremely long-lasting, up to 20 years with proper care.
Inlays are used when a dental filling is unable to offer adequate structural support to the damaged tooth and a stronger substance is required to effectively reinforce the tooth.
Onlays
Onlays are also custom made but to fit over your tooth’s biting surface. This type of restoration is used to reinforce and strengthen a tooth that has been damaged by decay. Onlays are similar to inlays but differ in the amount of the tooth they cover.
The difference between onlays and dental crowns is that onlays cover a portion instead of the entire tooth.