Types of Filling

Dental Composite

The most commonly used tooth coloured direct filling.

Nowhere in dentistry has the rate of advances in technology been more apparent than in the science of dental composites. From one colour materials that suffered from excessive wear 30 years ago to highly advanced materials which can exactly mimic the appearance of your tooth and which are incredibly tough and long lasting.

Composites are bonded into your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive technology which can actually help to support the remaining tooth structure. Many people now have dental composites used for their fillings and it is often the case that when one of your old, grey dental amalgams needs replacing your dentist can use composite instead to restore the appearance of your tooth.

At the front and back of your mouth dental composite can be the ideal choice.

Glass Ionomer

This tooth coloured filling material has the ability to bond to your tooth and can also release small amounts of fluoride once it has been placed.

This is useful for people who have a high risk of tooth decay. Glass ionomer is not usually used as a permanent filling as it wears too easily, but it is a really useful material to use for temporary fillings or to repair your tooth whilst you decide what permanent choice to have.

Dental Amalgam

For many years this was the most commonly used filling material.

A grey metallic material which contains mercury, amalgam is tough and long lasting, but very unattractive due to its colour and also of concern to many people due to its mercury content. Another key problem with amalgam is that it expands and contracts in the tooth due to temperature changes and some people feel that this can contribute to tooth fractures and cracks developing.

With the advent of high quality tooth coloured fillings, amalgam usage is now declining.