Dental fillings are artificial substances that are used to fill in the holes or gaps in the enamel of decayed, broken or damaged teeth.
Dental fillings are needed to restore the shape and stability of the tooth for ease of chewing and preventing further damage, decay and loss of the tooth.

Dental fillings may be used in cases of:

• • Tooth decay, to fill holes that have formed in the enamel but have not affected the inner pulp of the teeth where the blood vessels and nerves are contained
  • Injured or broken teeth where enamel has chipped off potentially exposing the tooth to decay
  • To restore worn out or eroded teeth.

PROCEDURE OF DENTAL FILLING

Before a filling is performed, the dentist numbs the gums around the affected tooth using an injection of local anaesthetic. Once the area is numbed, the affected tooth is inspected. Filling is determined based on the amount of tooth decay or damage. If tooth decay is present, the affected areas of the teeth are removed and the tooth is cleaned, washed and dried. Filling material is then inserted where the affected area was and the original shape of the tooth is restored. A patient is then asked to bite hard to see if the filling feels comfortable.

TYPES OF DENTAL COMPOSITE

Before a filling is performed, the dentist numbs the gums around the affected tooth using an injection of local anaesthetic. Once the area is numbed, the affected tooth is inspected. Filling is determined based on the amount of tooth decay or damage. If tooth decay is present, the affected areas of the teeth are removed and the tooth is cleaned, washed and dried. Filling material is then inserted where the affected area was and the original shape of the tooth is restored. A patient is then asked to bite hard to see if the filling feels comfortable.

AMALGAM FILLINGS

Amalgam fillings have been used for over 180 years in the field of dentistry. When the metals.
Recommended for fillings on the back teeth as they are stronger than composite fillings and that is where the majority of the force is when you bite down. They last longer than white composite.

WHITE COMPOSITE

Composite fillings are better if fillings are visible since amalgam are silver in colour whereas composite are white or coloured to your teeth.