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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.
 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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