Fillings are used to replace natural tooth structure when it becomes fractured, broken or damaged by tooth decay.
When a filling is required, there are a variety of materials that can be used to fix the tooth. Each material used to fix teeth has its own unique properties and advantages.
Factors that can influence the choice of filling material include the position of the tooth within the mouth, the way the teeth bite together and the size of the filling required. Your dentist will give you advice on what is best for your situation.
Amalgam
Dental amalgam is a silver-coloured filling material. It is made of mercury, silver, copper, zinc and tin. It has been used as a filling material to fix teeth for over 150 years and has one of the longest life-expectancies of dental filling materials.
Amalgam is strong and long-lasting, however more tooth structure needs to be cut away to fix the tooth with an amalgam filling. Amalgam does not stick to the tooth surface. This filling material is silver in colour and can appear darker over time.
Composite resin
Composite resin is the tooth-coloured or white filling material that is used to fix broken or decayed teeth.
Unlike dental amalgam, composite resin fillings are adhered to the surface of the tooth. This is called bonding. Because composite resin is bonded to the tooth’s surface, less tooth structure needs to be removed for the filling to be placed. This means more natural tooth structure can be kept.
A filling colour that matches the tooth being fixed can be chosen so that it blends with the colour of the tooth. When the colour is well matched, these fillings can be undetectable to the eye. It can be used for fillings in both the front and back teeth.
Glass-ionomer Cement
Glass-ionomer cement (GIC) is also a white or tooth-coloured filling material however it is not as strong as composite resin. Fluoride is an ingredient in this filling material. It is often used for fissure sealants and temporary (interim) fillings.
Gold and Porcelain
Fillings can also be made of gold and porcelain. These fillings are created outside of the mouth and then cemented into the tooth’s cavity. These are called inlays.
A gold inlay will be very durable over the long-term, while a porcelain inlay is both strong and able to be matched to the colour of your tooth.
Both gold and porcelain inlays take time to prepare and manufacture and will usually require at least two appointments to complete.
Fissure Sealants
Fissures are the grooves that are naturally present on the top, biting surface of the back teeth. These grooves can be very thin and deep which can cause food and bacteria to become stuck. When this occurs over and over, it can increase the risk of tooth decay developing within the grooves.
A fissure sealant is a thin coating placed over the grooves of the teeth. It is done as a protective mechanism to prevent food and bacteria sticking in the grooves which decreases the risk of tooth decay occurring.
They are most commonly placed in the grooves of the back adult molar teeth in children and teenagers. Sometimes other teeth may also require fissure sealant treatment. It will appear white or clear in colour and using the teeth will cause the fissure sealant to wear down over time.
How long will my filling last?
Fillings will not last forever. Over time fillings can become worn, chipped, or cracked, or discoloured. Over time, pressure applied to teeth can cause the joint between the tooth and the filling to open. This can allow food particles and decay-causing bacteria to gather in this space and this may cause tooth decay.
How long a filling lasts can also depend on how well you care for it, this means twice daily toothbrushing and cleaning between the teeth daily.
Fillings can discolour or no longer match the colour of your natural tooth over time. This may be a concern for some people when it affects the front teeth. A dentist can replace the filling to improve the appearance.
