Dental Fillings with Composite Resin

1. Amalgam fillings : sometimes known as mercury fillings
2. Composite fillings : tooth-colored flllings made from composite resin

Amalgam Vs Composite Fillings

Traditional Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings or silver fillings were commonly used in the past. These amalgam restorations were effective, but blacken over time. The safety of amalgam fillings has been in questions over the years as it contain mercury content. Amalgam fillings therefore are now commonly removed and replaced with composite fillings or white fillings.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings match to the natural tooth color shades. As it is made of resin, these restorations are strong, durable and provides for a natural look. Advancement on composites have proven composite fillings as effective and safer relative to amalgams.

Composite fillings typically composes of a mixture of glass or quartz filler. It has good durability and resistance to fracture for small- to mid-size restorations. Tooth colored tooth fillings can be used on either front or back teeth. Composite restorations generally do lasts for years, its use howeer varies with each individual’s frequency and biting load over the fllings.

Composites bond into a cavity area securely with less tooth structure removal required. This allwos for smaller size fillings compared to amalgam dental fillings. Composite fillings may require a slightly longer visit at your dentist than conventional amalgam fillings.

Other Dental Fillings Types

Athought amalgam fillings and composite fillings are the two basic types of fillings materials, there are however other available tooth fillings materials. If teeth cavity is large, inlays/onlays/overlays may be recommended that could be composed of below materials.

• Ceramic fillings : made of ceramic porcelain, restorations are durable, strong and matches teeth color. 
• Gold fillings : gold can lasts over 15 years and is sturdy and non-corrosive. However, gold fillings are more costly compared to other filling materials. 
• Glass ionomers :  glass or acrylic fillings are short-term fillings that are commonly done for children whose teeth are still changing. Glass ionomers can release fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay.

Ceramic, gold and glass fillings requires more than one visit to your dentist as it will require lab work to customize the inlay, onlay, overlay to your tooth. Whlist  amalgam and composite fillings can be completed within the same one visit.

Dental Procedure for Composite Fillings

Fillings are only required if there is teeth damage.

1. Your dentist checks the tooth for cavities
2. Damaged tooth portion is removed
3. The preped area is cleaned
4. After the cavity is removed, composite resin filling is placed
5. A curing light harden the composites securely in place
6. Your dentist shapes and ensures that your new composite fillings properly fits

Post care Instructions for Composite Tooth Fillings

After your dentist at our Thailand dental clinics has completed your dental fillings, you will need to care for your tooth fillings: 

1. Your tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold or pressure after having tooth fillings. This however subsides and will gradually reduce after a couple of days to weeks. 
2. If you experience toothache spontaneously without hot or cold stimulation, do inform us to re-check immediately. Deep cavities can impact tooth nerves to an extent that you may require root canal therapy.
3. After dentla fillings are placed, your dentist normally checks your bite. Teeth can detect very small changes and if your bite is not correct, please inform us for a adjustment or re-check visit.
4. Dental fillings can develop decay around the edges where they meet the tooth. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a high level of daily oral hygiene to help protect and care for your new restorations.