Dental fillings

What kind of fillings are available?

There are a number of different materials that can be used to fill a hole in your tooth. Indirect fillings are those that require a couple of visits to Ferndale Dental & Implant Clinic as the tooth is treated with a tailormade filling that has to be crafted to your needs in a dental laboratory before fitting. Direct fillings are those that can be applied in one sitting, or chairside. White or tooth coloured options prove to be the most popular of these options as they remain the quickest and most natural-looking of the options – no one can tell that you’ve had a filling.

Indirect:  

• Gold fillings. Gold is known for its low reactivity, meaning it is a safe substance to leave in your mouth for years. Gold fillings are also long-lasting and could stay in place well for over 20 years. However, gold fillings are also ‘indirect’, so they require manufacture in a dental laboratory and then applying to your teeth, making this one of the longer processes.
• Porcelain fillings. Porcelain fillings are referred to as onlays or inlays, and are custom-made and then fitted to your teeth. They boast a similar durability to that of gold fillings, but look more natural.

Direct:

• Silver (amalgam) fillings. Silver fillings are also durable, but due to their noticeable colour are mostly used for treating the back teeth.
• Composite resin fillings. Composite resin is a kind of plastic that will match your natural tooth colour, making a filling less visible. The resin mixture can be poured straight into the cavity, making it a relatively quick treatment, if a little less durable than gold or silver.

Should you require a filling, your dentist will discuss with you the different options available and best advise on the most suitable for you and your teeth.

When was your last check-up? Contact Ferndale Dental & Implant Clinic on 01380 725225 today to book your next one.