Much like with the innards of a sandwich, a different variety of fillings are available. We are, of course, talking about dental fillings.After all, you are on a dental blog!

A recap of what a filling is

Before we start talking about variations, let’s make sure we’re on the same page regarding the basic theme: The purpose of a filling is to protect and restore the functionality of a tooth. The most common way they operate is to fill holes in a tooth which have been caused by decay. Fillings also help to prevent further infection by blocking off the entrances by which bacteria would enter.

So why are there so many types of filling?

Amalgam fillings

These are the grey ones. In fact, if you had a filling done quite some time ago, it is probably an amalgam filling. They are formed from a combination of metals, are incredibly durable, perfectly functional and quite cheap to boot! The main problem with them is that they stick out like a sore thumb.

Composite fillings

These little guys, unlike their Amalgam brethren, are pretty much indistinguishable from your real teeth. They can even be matched to the colour of your teeth for maximum camouflage! They are not, however, ideal for big cavities as, over a prolonged period of time, they can chip and wear down. They stain quite easily and tend to have a lifespan of three years but, despite this, they remain popular as a result of their aesthetic advantages.

CEREC Onlays

Onlays are similar to crowns in how they are fitted, but they operate just like dental fillings. They, like composite fillings, can be coloured to match your teeth and can produced in house. This means that you can leave with perfect fillings after a single visit!

Fissure sealants

These are not so much fillings as they are ways to prevent needing fillings. The surface of your tooth consists of various pits and fissures where plaque, hidden from the reach of your tooth brush, can lurk and cause trouble. Fissure sealants create a barrier over these areas and stop plaque from building!For more information on the different fillings available please contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Deansgrange.