Fillings
A cavity is a pit in your tooth where the tooth has begun to decay. Cavities gradually dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth and protects the softer, more sensitive interior of your teeth. Left unfilled, a cavity can work its way into your tooth's interior and ultimately destroy it.
A filling is a material that is placed into a prepared area in a tooth affected by a cavity and then adjusted to restore the tooth to its proper form and function. The two most commonly placed fillings are composite restorations and amalgam restorations.
Your DHA dentist will check for cavities at every preventive visit and can help you choose which type of restoration is right for you.
Composite vs. Amalgam Fillings
amalgam filling
composite filling
Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that produces a tooth-colored filling. One advantage of a composite filling is that less tooth structure is generally removed when your dentist prepares the tooth than would need to be removed if your cavity were filled by a amalgam filling.
Among the numerous advantages of amalgam fillings are: its durability, ease of use, high resistance to wear and relatively inexpensive cost when compared to other materials. Amalgam fillings are able to withstand very high chewing pressures and are therefore very useful for restoring molars in the back of the mouth where the chewing pressure is greatest.
| Composite Fillings | Amalgam Fillings | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Tooth-colored | Silver-colored |
| Durability | Good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid-size restorations. | High resistance to wear; good for back teeth. |
| Appointment Length | Takes longer to place than an amalgam filling | Takes less time to place than a composite filling |
| Cost | More expensive than amalgam fillings; additional cost may not be covered by insurance | Less expensive than composite fillings. |
Contact one of our clinics to schedule an appointment. We are happy to help!
Meet Our Staff
Betty, Patient Coordinator,
with DHA since 1997
Filling FAQs
If my tooth doesn't hurt, why do I need a filling?
Teeth generally do not have any sensation associated with the outer (enamel) layer. If a cavity is detected while small, a filling can be placed before the cavity causes you and your tooth any discomfort. If left untreated, cavities can grow larger causing discomfort and often times the need for further treatment such as a root canal.
Are amalgam fillings safe?
The major U.S. and international scientific and health organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, among others, have been satisfied that dental amalgam is a safe, reliable and effective restorative material.