Filling Materials

Filling Materials

    Filling materials used today have come a long way. Rarely do we use silver amalgam, instead we use tooth coloured composite resin. This material can be bonded to teeth using recent advances in resin bonding chemistry .

    Experience is showing that these resin fillings stand up well over time and have the added benefit , because they are bonded, of reinforcing a weakened tooth.

    Other materials which are used to repair teeth are cast  gold inlays, or porcelain inlays or on occasion , silver amalgam.

    Why do I have a temporary filling?

     Should your tooth develop a very deep cavity, but the tooth is still alive, a technique called indirect pulp capping gives the tooth 3-4 months to "heal" from the cavity. We are trying to avoid endodontic treatment( root canal)  This technique uses a zinc oxide and eugenol filling material that seals medication in the tooth.  These fillings must be replaced in 3-4 months and often can save you extra treatment