What is a Tooth Filling?
Dental fillings are a type of restorative dentistry treatment. Dentists use them to repair cavities or fix small chips and cracks in your teeth.
Other names for dental fillings are:
- Dental fillings
- Gap fillers
- Dental restorations (this term refers to a range of treatments that restore teeth, such as fillings, inlays, onlays, bridges and crowns)
Your dentist can discuss treatment options with you and determine which type of dental filling is best for your situation.
What are the Types of Dental Fillings?
Common materials for direct fillings are:
- Amalgam (silver-colored; contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc and copper).
- Resin composite (tooth-colored; composed of a resin base containing powdered quartz, silica or glass).
- Glass ionomer (tooth-colored; made of silica glass powder).
What Happens During a Dental Filling Procedure?
The exact steps may vary depending on the material your dentist uses and the type of filling he or she places. But here is a general idea of what to expect.
A dentist will do the following:
- It numbs your tooth with local anesthesia.
- Using special instruments, it removes damaged or decayed tissue from your tooth.
- Fills the hole with dental filling material.
- Use a dental curing light to harden the material (for resin composite only).
- Polish and smooth rough edges.
- Check your bite to make sure it feels normal.
If you are anxious about visiting the dentist, ask about sedation options. Sedation dentistry helps keep you calm and relaxed during your procedure.
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