Fillings – A Common Dental Cavity Restoration

A brief look at some of the common tooth filling options available in UK dental practices

Most of our patients will probably be familiar with a filling. As cavities form in our teeth due to tooth decay, a filling is needed to restore the tooth and give it sufficient strength to function normally. Even with a common treatment like this though, there are many choices available at Alexandra Dental Care and other UK dental practices.

The type of filling used will depend on the nature and degree of the restoration needed. Whilst aesthetics plays an important part in the decision, the ultimate aim is to provide our Burton and Ashby patients with a restored tooth that is fit for purpose.

Let us take a look then at the most common filling materials that are currently used today.

Amalgam

Amalgam was first used as a dental filling just under 200 years ago in 1826. It has been a tried and trusted material, offering a high degree of strength for a long time. There is little doubt that this is probably still the strongest filling material available but it is not without its drawbacks.

The most obvious drawback is its colour. Amalgam is a very dark material and is easy to spot if used on the front teeth. Larger fillings at the back of our mouths can also be seen when we laugh or yawn as well. There is also a practical disadvantage in its use too. In order to place an amalgam filling, it is often necessary to remove some healthy tooth too so that the amalgam can be placed securely. It also shrinks over time, sometimes leaving tiny gaps at the edges where bacteria can enter and may lead to further tooth decay.

Finally, although it has been deemed safe for use in dental fillings, amalgam contains mercury compounds and this can deter some people from using it.

White fillings

Natural looking tooth coloured dental fillings are rapidly becoming the number one choice of both dentists and patients, and for very good reasons. The name says it all really and these fillings can be produced to match the natural colour of your teeth. This is great news especially for those who require a filling towards the front of the mouth and where an amalgam filling would have been highly visible.

White fillings come close to amalgam in strength but may not be quite strong enough for larger fillings in the rear teeth that do a lot of chewing and grinding. Inlays can provide a good alternative in these situations and will be discussed shortly.

In addition to their appearance, white teeth coloured fillings usually require less of the natural tooth to be removed and also do not shrink as amalgam does, helping to avoid further decay around the filling.

Inlays

Inlays are mostly used on rear teeth where there is a very large cavity. Even amalgam might not be strong enough in some cases. To combine both strength and aesthetic appearance, an inlay is a popular solution. This is a type of ‘inverted crown’ in that impressions are taken of the prepared cavity and from that impression the inlay is made, usually of porcelain. This will then be fitted and secured into the prepared cavity. This not only leaves the tooth natural looking but provides a high level of strength too.

Gutta percha

Gutta percha is a type of filling that is largely used for one procedure only and that is for a root canal treatment. Once the canals have been cleaned and hollowed out, they are then filled using gutta percha. Gutta percha is a plastic-like substance that comes from a percha tree, usually in Malaysia. It is used as a permanent filling and provides excellent sealant properties to minimise the risk of reinfection.

Glass ionomer

Glass ionomer is rarely used as an actual filling as it is quite a weak material and wouldn’t last long at all. It is not without its uses though and is sometimes used as either a temporary filling whilst a more permanent one is being prepared, or as a sealant on a non biting part of the tooth surface, such as to protect the neck of the tooth where the gum and crown meet.

These are the main filling options available at most dental practices in the UK. Whilst patient choice does play a part in the decision as to which material to use, its ultimate purpose is to restore the strength and functionality of the affected tooth and this will therefore need to be thoroughly evaluated by the dentist at Alexandra Dental Care.

Our Burton and Ashby patients might also be interested to know that current amalgam fillings can also be removed and replaced with a tooth coloured filling.  If you are interested in finding out more about this way of improving your smile, or for any other dental issue, please call us on 01283 216347.

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