Composite Fillings or tooth-colored fillings:

 

Composite fillings are the most popular fillings today. They are natural-looking and made from composite resin. Composite fillings begin soft and are hand-shaped during the filling process. Blue light is then used to cure the composite to harden it. Composite fillings are very durable and bond well to tooth enamel.

 
Amalgam Fillings
 

Amalgam fillings, or more commonly known as silver fillings, were the most popular fillings many years ago. However, they have fallen out of favor in recent years. Amalgam fillings are a mix of metal alloys, can contain traces of mercury, and are dark in color, which has been viewed unfavorably. Many people tend to replace these silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings.
 

Porcelain Fillings
 

Porcelain fillings are used to restore heavily-filled teeth or when a large amount of tooth structure has been lost. They are stronger and more durable than composite white fillings. They are tooth-colored and also bond to the tooth structure. This option is viable for teeth with more than 60% tooth structure loss.

Fissure Seals
 

Sometimes our molar teeth have deep pits and fissures making it hard for the bristles of our toothbrush to clean, resulting in a breeding ground for bacteria to cause decay or cavities. Fissure seals are dental sealants used to fill the pits and fissures to act as a barrier against plaque, bacteria, and food particles.

What happens in a filling procedure?
 

Prior to any filling procedure, your dentist will talk to you about your options to determine which filling type would be best suited and how to plan for them.

At your visit, a local anesthetic will be administered in the area to numb the tooth and surrounding structures. The decay will then be removed usually using a dental drill. Once the tooth is sound and a strong tooth structure remains, the cavity is disinfected and dried before filling material is placed. The dentist will shape and cure the filling to harden it before checking your bite and ensuring it is comfortable.

 

 

After the filling procedure
 

It is advised not to eat or drink for 2–3 hours after a filling procedure due to the local anesthetic. Once the local anesthetic has worn off, you may experience some sensitivity in the area for a few days. For some people, it can take a couple of weeks for the filling to settle down.

If you experience any pain or if the filling does not feel right, please see your dentist as soon as possible.