Dental fillings are used to repair cavities and damage caused by tooth decay. But did you know that there are different types of dental fillings? In today's post, our Ottawa dentists explain the differences between amalgam, gold, porcelain, and composite fillings.

Different Fillings For Different Jobs

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

Composite Fillings

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

Composite fillings are the same colour as your natural teeth, allowing them to 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.

To place this type of filling, your dentist will begin by removing decay from the tooth, once that is done they will apply bonding material to the inside of the cavity. Thin layers of composite resin are then poured into the hole. With the help of a curing light, each layer hardens to 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.

Fillings Made From Porcelain

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.

A porcelain filling is made in a dental lab then returned to your dentist, who cements it in place on your damaged tooth. These fillings typically require at least two dental appointments in order to complete the procedure.

Amalgam (Silver) Fillings

Silver in colour, amalgam fillings are frequently used to fill teeth located at the back of the mouth. They are a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, copper, 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 to create a cast gold filling, a model of your tooth must be created. 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.

To learn more about the fillings available at Bearbrook Dental Centre, contact our Ottawa dentists today.

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Looking for a dentist in Ottawa? We're happily accepting new patients at our dental clinic! Contact us to get started today. 

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