Used to repair a cavity in your tooth caused by decay.
Composite resin fillings wear down faster than amalgam fillings and need to be replaced more often. 2 – Composite fillings are more expensive than amalgam fillings. At my dental school, we charge $88 for a large amalgam filling in a back tooth and $135 for a large composite filling in a back tooth. Fillings. Fillings are used to repair a cavity in your tooth caused by decay. The most common type of filling is dental amalgam, made from a mixture of mercury and different metals. Dental amalgam fillings are often used on your back teeth as they are hard-wearing. This material is used in ways similar to the use of composite resin fillings. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, your insurance coverage, and your dentist's recommendation assist in determining the type of filling best for you. Teeth can be filled with gold; porcelain; silver amalgam (which consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper); or tooth-colored, plastic, and materials called composite resin fillings. There is also a material that contains glass particles and is known as glass ionomer. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it. Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that cures or hardens each layer is applied. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it. Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that cures or hardens each layer is applied.
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/fillings/ http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/nhs-fillings-and-crowns.aspx?CategoryID=74 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-fillings http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-fillings http://www.medicinenet.com/fillings/article.htm http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-fillings
what are fillings