Fillings
Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, can include gold, porcelain, and composite materials, which are known for their strength and durability. These materials are often used in the back of the mouth to withstand extreme forces from chewing. Additionally, newer types of dental fillings such as ceramic and plastic compounds, or composite resins, can be used to mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These materials are usually used on the front teeth for aesthetic purposes, but can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and severity of tooth decay.
WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?
Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity and expense of dental restorations, including:
- The components used in the filling material
- The amount of tooth structure remaining
- Where and how the filling is placed
- The chewing load that the tooth will have to bear
- The length and number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored tooth
Before your child’s treatment starts, your doctor will explain all of the available options and help you decide which filling is best for your child. It may be useful to have an understanding of the two main types of dental fillings: direct and indirect.
- Direct fillings – In a single visit, a dentist can place direct fillings into a prepared cavity. These fillings may include glass ionomers, resin ionomers, or composite (resin) fillings. The dentist will prepare the tooth, place the filling, and then make the necessary adjustments.
- Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. At the first visit, a dentist prepares the tooth to be restored and captures an impression of the area. This impression is then sent to a dental laboratory to create the restoration. Typically, indirect fillings require two or more visits, and can include inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, and bridges made from gold, base metal alloys, ceramics, or composites. After the restoration is created, the dentist will cement it into the prepared cavity at the next appointment and make any necessary adjustments. To protect the tooth in the meantime, a temporary covering is applied.
