Fillings

Fillings are used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay, or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth. In many cases, individuals with enamel loss resulting in tooth sensitivity will notice a significant improvement or complete elimination of sensitivity once the appropriate dental filling material is placed. In some cases, depending on the extent of tooth decay or damage, the affected tooth may require additional or alternative procedures like root fillings or crowns.

Tooth decay in two lower molars. The right hand molar in the picture proved to be particularly deep.	After anaesthetising, the cavities were cleaned, removing all the tooth decay and subsequently filled with composite.

The aim of the procedure is to firstly make sure that the cavity is clean, meaning there is no tooth decay left behind. This is the drilling stage and we will have to give the cavity the correct shape so that it can be filled. This shape is dependant on the material used. Amalgam requires a different shape of cavity compared to composite.

A small amalgam filling which has tooth decay under it because it is not sealing the cavity any longer.	A small composite filling was made after the old amalgam and the caries were removed.

The choice between the two materials will depend on strength and aesthetics. These days we use more and more composite as technological advances have improved these materials a lot in recent years, as you can see from these examples.

Small cavities into the root of a lower canine and premolar. Both were shallow yet noticeable	With two small composite fillings it is difficult to see where the cavities were.