Red Oak Dental Center

Terry J. Gillespie, D.D.S.

FILLINGS

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The two most common types of fillings are Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored). We use composite fillings unless it is to seal an endodontic procedure. 

                    The picture shows the amalgam filling.

Composite fillings are known as tooth colored fillings.  Most of the composite restorations today are "light cured" which means that the acrylic remains fluid until a very bright light is shined on it which causes it to harden. The light curing allows the dentist time to work with the material, building and shaping it correctly, and when ready, the light is used to harden it immediately. The light curing also makes for a more color stable restoration. The new tooth colored composite restorations do not get yellow or brown with age as the older ones did.

The before and after images of the tooth above are impressive, but do not tell the whole story.  In fact, a tooth that is built in more than 50% restorative material is inherently weak and should be prepared for a crown.  This does not mean that all badly damaged teeth should be crowned immediately.  The decay in this one was quite deep.  Deep decay places the nerve in jeopardy which may result in treatment of the nerve.