Fillings
After decay is removed from a tooth,
something must be placed in that space to give strength back to
the tooth.
Fillings: Fillings are the most common restorative procedure.
Inlays and onlays: In addition to fillings, lab fabricated
inlays and onlays may be used. Although
many patients think of these as fillings as well, they are actually
different since they are laboratory fabricated.
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Silver (amalgam) fillings: Silver fillings have been
used reliably for many years. Typically, silver fillings are
placed on back teeth (molars). They are an economical way of
providing a lasting restoration for most cavities.
The material is specially formulated to withstand years of chewing
pressure. |
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White
fillings: White fillings are an alternative to silver
(amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite
resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the
past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but
recently a stronger more durable material has been developed
that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.
White
fillings are most commonly used for:
- Cosmetic
reasons
- Patients
who prefer mercury-free fillings
- Patients
with sensitivity to heat or
cold - the composite resin doesn't conduct temperature changes
as fast as silver or gold.
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White
Porcelain or Resin inlay or onlay: A
porcelain or resin inlay or onlay is used when the cavity
is too big for a white resin filling, but isn't so big that
a crown is required. An inlay is
a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also
known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order
to protect and strengthen the tooth.
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| Gold
inlay or onlay: An inlay or onlay may also be made of gold. |
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