Types of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings can be used to fill cavities. Here, our Whitecourt dentists talk about the different types of fillings that may be available for you.

Fillings for teeth can be made from a range of different materials, including gold, amalgam, composite resins, and porcelain. In addition to being safe and long-lasting, each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are plastic tooth-coloured fillings that look and feel natural when placed in the mouth of a patient. 

Composite fillings are the same colour as your natural teeth, letting them blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. These materials are also relatively easy to shape and mould onto teeth, and because they bond naturally to teeth, your dentist will not have to remove as much existing enamel during the preparation process.

So this type of filling can be placed, your dentist will first need to remove the decay from the tooth and then apply bonding material to the inside of the cavity. After that, thin layers of composite resin are poured into the hole. With the help of curing light, each layer hardens into a solid-state. When the final layer of the filling has hardened, your dentist will shape the filling so that it matches the shape of your natural teeth.

Porcelain Fillings

A strong, tooth-coloured dental restoration is created by combining hard and brittle porcelain fillings with metal, which results in a tooth-coloured dental restoration.

Porcelain fillings are made in a dental lab and sent to your dentist, who will cement them in place in your mouth. In most cases, two appointments are needed to complete this procedure.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings are silver in colour and are often used to fill teeth that are situated in the back of your mouth. They are a combination of metals, including silver, copper, mercury, and tin, among others.

While the silver colour may not be appealing to people who prefer a more natural appearance, they are a long-lasting option for molars that are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear.

Gold Fillings

In order for a cast gold filling to be made, your dentist will have to make a model of your tooth. A mixture of gold and other metals, such as silver and copper, is used to create these pieces.

Much like the porcelain fillings, this type of dental filling is made in a dental lab and then returned to your dentist, who cements it into place inside your mouth. As a result, this type of filling typically requires at least two dental appointments to complete.

Do you have a cavity? Contact our Whitecourt dentists today to find out which types of fillings we offer at Valley Centre Dental Clinic.