Dental Fillings (Restorations)

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Treatment Overview

A filling is a material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity, Opens dialog after the dentist removes any tooth decay, Opens dialog. To fill a tooth, your dentist will numb the area, drill out the decay, and put in a filling. There are many types of fillings.

Types of fillings

Fillings can be made from many types of material. Talk to your dentist about which type would be best for you.

• Amalgam is the easiest material for a dentist to use. It's the fastest and least costly choice. Amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, and tin or other metals.
• Composite resins are tooth-colored fillings. Composite resin is easier than gold for a dentist to work with. And it usually costs less than gold.
• Ionomers are tooth-colored materials that dentists often use for small cavities or cavities between teeth. Some ionomers release small amounts of fluoride. This may help you if you often get cavities.
• Gold is costly and is harder for your dentist to work with. This makes the procedure take longer and cost more.
• Ceramics are costly tooth-colored fillings. They require special equipment and may require dental lab support. You may need several appointments.