Get a detailed overview of Dental Fillings. Information covered includes: 1- Exactly what a dental filling is 2- Types of dental fillings 3- Alternative and additional procedures 4- Complete procedure from start to finish 5- Cost of fillings 6- How to reduce risk of a filling

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The Truth About
Dental Fillings

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What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a type of restorative dentistry used to repair
minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged
surfaces of the teeth. Dental filling materials include :
composite, porcelain & silver amalgam
Note: Fillings may also be used to even out tooth surfaces to improve chewing.

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Types of Dental Fillings
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Amalgam fillings: Commonly known as silver or mercury fillings.
Amalgam fillings are made up of silver, tin, copper, zinc, and mercury.
And are durable,affordable and long lasting.
Note: Amagam fillings last at least seven years, usually longer

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Composite resin fillings: More commonly known as white
fillings, tooth-colored fillings, and direct veneers. They are made
up of very tiny pieces of silica surrounded by a plastic resin usually
composed of bis-GMA.
Note: Composite resin fillings typically last at least five years
Types of Dental Fillings
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Gold:Gold fillings are sturdy and non-corrosive. Many people find gold
fillings more aesthetically pleasing than silver fillings. But gold fillings can
cost up to 10 times more than silver amalgam fillings, and often take more
than one office visit to fit them properly.
Note: Gold fillings can last approximately 10 to 15 years
Types of Dental Fillings
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Ceramic: Ceramic fillings are often made of porcelain. They are
durable and aesthetically pleasing, but they wear opposing teeth if
the porcelain becomes rough.
Note: Ceramic filings typically last five to seven years
Types of Dental Fillings
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Glass Lonomers: Fillings made of glass and acrylic. they are often a
good choice for children whose teeth are still changing. Also, they can
release fluoride, which can help prevent decay.
Note: Glass lonomers usually last less than five years.
Types of Dental Fillings
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The affected tooth may require additional or alternative
procedures, including:
Dental Crowns: Teeth requiring more support than offered by a traditional
filling may require a dental crown.
Dental Implants and Dental Bridges: Irreparable tooth damage requiring
tooth extraction may require an implant or bridge.
Root Canals (perhaps along with antibiotic treatment):
Infected, abscessed or nerve damaged teeth may require a root canal.
Additional Procedures

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Step 1. The cavity is removed with a drill and the site is prepared.
Procedure for Fillings
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Step 2. The preparation has a diverging shape towards the opening.
Procedure for Fillings
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Step 3. A lab fabricates a porcelain inlay, which
exactly replicates the lost tooth structure.
Procedure for Fillings
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Procedure for Fillings
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The cost of fillings depends on a variety of factors, including:
The dentist who performs the procedure and where the location
of his practice (Some areas are more expensive than others)
The type of dental insurance you have. Dental insurance typically
does not cover the additional costs associated with composite fillings
(see slide 8).
The number of teeth that need filling and the type of filling
Cost of Dental Fillings

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4 ways to prevent the need for dental fillings
1. Use Dental Optimizer approved Antibacterial Mouth Rinses and products
2. Estimate the cost of professional cleaning with our Dental Cost Calculator
3. Find a local dentist in our Dental Directory of over 90,000 dentists
4. Get Financing for the entire cost of your new braces
How to Reduce Risk of a Filling