Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are a common way to repair a tooth after treating a cavity or repair a tooth that has been cracked or broken from misuse.

When dealing with a cavity the dentist will first remove all of the decay and then put in a filling to restore the usefulness of the tooth.

A number of different options for fillings are available that deal at different costs, and with different material qualities.

Options for fillings include:

• Gold filling
  • The most costly kind of filling, but also typically the longest lasting. The process of having gold installed may take multiple visits.
• Amalgam (silver) filling
  • One of the least expensive forms of filling but also the most visible. These can last a long time with proper care.
• Composite resin
  • This is placed directly into a cavity where it hardens into the shape of your tooth. The advantage of having the color match your existing tooth is weighed against the strength of the material which wears over time. These typically last from a couple years up to a decade.

The procedure typically has you in and out of the office in a couple of hours.