In recent times, silver fillings have been replaced by white tooth-colored fillings, which are made of a material that is capable of adhering to the tooth surface. This material contains small particles, synthetic resins and a setting ingredient and is called composite. Some of the tooth colored filling materials may release fluoride which helps to prevent and reduce the incidence of further tooth decay.
- Composite Filling - Tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural.
- Temporary Filling - is a filling that has been placed to seal a tooth until a final filling can be placed. It is generally a soft material that has been placed into the tooth to fill a broken area or area of decay. Temporary fillings are not meant to last. They usually fall out, fracture, or wear out within a month.
- Upper Teeth porcelain veneer
- Lower Teeth composite filling
The Advantages of Composite Resin Fillings
Some benefits of tooth-colored resin fillings are:
- They look more aesthetically pleasing since they match your natural tooth color and appearance.
- They require less drilling, so not as much tooth structure needs to be removed.
- They harden in seconds instead of days like other materials.
- They bond to the tooth giving it greater strength, which helps prevent breaks.
- They can be repaired if damaged.
The Disadvantages of Composite Resin Fillings
Some drawbacks of these types of fillings are:
- You may experience some brief tooth sensitivity following the procedure.
- They tend to wear out sooner than metal fillings, especially if you have heavy wear from grinding and chewing.
- They may stain from frequent and/or prolonged exposure to coffee, tea, red wine and other foods with staining properties.
- They're more expensive than silver fillings.
What Are Indirect Fillings?
Indirect fillings are similar to composite or tooth-colored fillings except they are made in a dental laboratory and require two visits before being placed. Indirect fillings are considered when not enough tooth structure remains to support a filling but the tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown.
There are two types of indirect fillings
- Inlays - are similar to fillings but the entire work lies within the cusps (bumps) on the chewing surface of the tooth.
- Onlays - are more extensive than inlays, covering one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns which only cover some of the cusps of the tooth, but not all of them.
Benefits of Dental Inlays and Dental Onlays:
- Increase the strength of a tooth with respect to fillings
- Alternative to a crown when teeth damage is not extensive
- Porcelain inlays/onlays does not change color over time
- Gives better esthetic appearance compared amalgam fillings
