Tooth Colored Fillings

A tooth filling, also called a dental filling or tooth filler, is a treatment where a dentist removes decay and restores the tooth using materials like composite resin, porcelain, or silver. This simple procedure prevents cavities from spreading and protects the tooth’s strength.

What Is a Dental Filling?

A dental filling is the most common dental solution to repair and restore teeth from decay or cavities. Many people search “what is a tooth filling” or “what is a dental filling”—both mean the same thing. It’s a treatment where the dentist removes the decayed part of your tooth and places a tooth filler (also called a dental filler) made from materials like composite resin, porcelain, metal, or gold.

Dental fillings are used to restore the tooth’s structure after decay is removed, even if the cavity is small. This prevents the tooth from breaking, cracking, or developing another cavity. Some patients refer to this procedure as “filling dental treatment” or ask about a “filling dentist,” which simply means the dentist who performs the cavity repair.

On average, the procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes and is usually painless. Your dentist will choose the best dentist filling based on your needs, insurance coverage, and material preference.

What are Tooth Colored Fillings?

Dental fillings are materials used to fill the space of your tooth after the removal of the cavity. Your dentist uses the best material or combinations of materials like metals, plastics, gold, or other materials. Many times fillings are used to fill and repair the broken or cracked teeth that are damaged because of injuries or misuse.

What Materials are Used in Dental Filling?

A dental filling is made from several materials including gold, porcelain, composite resin fillings, tooth-colored plastics, and silver amalgam. The life of a dental filling depends on the material used. Your filling may also last depending on the extent of the decays and location. Usually, your dentist will recommend the filling material based on the need, your insurance coverage, cost of filling, and your preferences.

Some materials may last longer than others, like gold filing might last for 10 to 15 years but it is comparatively more expensive than other materials.

• The silver filling is a cheaper option than gold and lasts for 10 to 15 years. It requires more area of the tooth to be removed for a silver filling to get hold of the space, crack, or hole. It should be avoided for tooth fractures and cracks as the material contracts and expands, as well as if you are allergic to the material.
• Composite resin materials are colored to match your other teeth.
• Porcelain or ceramics filling is stain resistant and lasts more than 15 years, but they are costly.
• A composite filling is a tooth-colored material that may cost twice as much as a silver filling, last 5 to 15 years, and takes more visits to the dentist to adjust.
• Glass ionomer is used to fill the bottom gum line and protect your tooth from decaying further. It costs the same as composite fillings and lasts less than 5 years.

What Is a Filling Dentist?

When people search “what is a filling dentist,” they are usually looking for the professional who performs cavity treatments. A filling dentist is simply a general dentist who removes tooth decay and restores the tooth with a dental filling (sometimes called a tooth filler).

This procedure, often referred to as filling dental treatment, protects the tooth from further decay or cracking. Depending on your needs, the dentist may use composite resin, porcelain, silver, or other materials.

In simple terms, a filling dentist is the expert who ensures your cavity is treated early, comfortably, and effectively, helping you avoid more complex dental problems in the future.

Temporary vs Permanent Filling?

If your dental procedure requires more than one appointment your dentist might place a temporary filling in your tooth. Especially, in the root canal treatment, your dentist will remove the decayed part, open the root of your tooth, remove the pulp and nerve, and clean up the tooth area. Then, the dentist needs to close this opening via temporary filling, because the procedure is still incomplete. In the next visit, the dentist needs to open the filling again and continue the treatment.

A temporary filling is removed much more easily and protects your tooth/ gums from food and bacteria, while the dental procedure is in process. When the root canal procedure is completed your dentist will replace the temporary filling with a permanent one. As the temporary filling lasts a month or less it can lead to infections if you do not get it replaced with the permanent filling.