At some point or other in our lives, most of us will have a cavity. This is the term for an area of decay in a tooth. In most cases, a cavity calls for your dentist to remove the decayed area and fill in this space with a filling. There have been a number of advances in the field over the past few years, and there are now different types of fillings to consider when the time comes.  To learn about the actual procedure for fillings, click here.

Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings may contain mercury, and are often referred to as metal fillings. Their safety has been in question for a number of years due to concerns over the absorption of elemental mercury contributing to several diseases, including Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, dementia and arthritis. The FDA investigations have not proven that the minute amount of mercury vapours released from silver fillings is a health hazard. Amalgam fillings are a mixture of mercury liquid and small pieces of silver and other metals such as copper, tin and zinc.

Most of us have had amalgam fillings. Metal fillings were effective, but very conspicuous and tended to blacken in colour over time.

Composite Resin Fillings
Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings coloured to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings. These are made of a plastic dental resin. Composite Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile.

If you have a cavity in a tooth, broken fillings, mercury fillings, or amalgam fillings, this type of dental filling is well worth discussing with your dentist. Mercury fillings or amalgam fillings can easily be removed and replaced with far more attractive coloured fillings. These fillings actually strengthen your tooth beyond the level it had with the amalgam fillings. 

The composite of composite resin fillings bonds to further support the remaining tooth structure, which helps prevent breakage and damage to your tooth. They certainly look better, and are colour blended to match your natural tooth colour. These fillings are often used to improve the appearance of misshapen, chipped or discoloured teeth. There are no known health risks of receiving composite fillings. Composite resin fillings last about six to twelve years or more, and the procedure usually takes just one visit to your dentist. There is very little sensitivity to hot or cold items often experienced with amalgam fillings. The dentist won't need to drill as much of the tooth structure as with amalgam fillings. 

Tooth bonding
Composite resins may also be used to enhance the appearance of any tooth, which is a tooth bonding procedure. The composite resin will strengthen and enhance the natural tooth structure as it does with use as a dental filling.

Bonding is a composite resin filling placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements and even changing the colour of your teeth or the reshaping of teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close up minor gaps and can be used to correct crooked teeth. Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material and sculpt, colour and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic, and the surface is finely polished. While the traditional silver fillings last about seven years, these composites should last about seven to eleven years.