Types of Cosmetic Fillings:

Composite Resin Fillings

• Made from a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles.
• Can be color-matched to your natural tooth shade, making them highly aesthetic.

Ceramic Fillings

• Made from porcelain, offering excellent durability and aesthetic qualities.
• Typically more expensive than composite fillings.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

• Made from acrylic and a specific type of glass.
• Often used for fillings in areas that aren’t subjected to heavy chewing forces, such as the gums or areas near the roots of teeth.

The Procedure For Cosmetic Fillings

NUMBING FOR COMFORT
The first and arguably the most crucial step in the dental filling procedure is ensuring your comfort. Dental work can be anxiety-inducing for many people. It shouldn’t be! To alleviate any discomfort, we often employ a two-fold approach.

• Pre-numbing gel Before the actual injection of a local anesthetic solution, we often apply a pre-numbing gel to the area where you will receive the injection. This gel contains 20% benzocaine, and its purpose is to pre-numb the injection site, making the subsequent injection significantly more comfortable. In some cases, we don’t use the gel and go straight to injection.
• Local anesthetic injection Your dentist uses a syringe to deliver the anesthetic, which effectively numbs the tooth and the surrounding area. Common anesthetic options include Lidocaine, Mepivacaine, Septocaine, and Bupivacaine. After the injection, it takes around 3 to 5 minutes for the anesthesia to kick in. Once you are numb, we can proceed with the procedure. You experience minimal discomfort.

REMOVING DECAY
Decay can manifest as brown or black areas on the tooth, which are soft and can be easily scraped off with a spoon excavator. To ensure thorough removal, we employ several techniques.

• High-speed drill In most cases, a high-speed dental handpiece with diamond burs is used to remove the decayed portion of your tooth. The high-speed drill is highly effective at removing decay and shaping the tooth for the filling.
• Caries Indicator A pink dye called caries indicator is used to double-check that all cavities have been removed. This dye stains any remaining tooth structure that cannot be remineralized. This ensures that the tooth cavity is completely clean and only healthy tooth structure remains.

FILLING MATERIAL SELECTION
Dental fillings come in various materials, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. The primary options include:

• Amalgam fillings, often referred to as silver fillings, are a time-tested choice with great durability. They are made by combining mercury with other metals like silver, tin, and copper. Amalgam fillings are particularly well-suited for molars and teeth that are worn down from chewing. However, the tooth must be prepared in a specific box shape to accommodate amalgam, which may involve the removal of additional tooth material.Due to the use of mercury, amalgam fillings are slowly phased out of the dentistry field.
• Gold and porcelain fillings are known for their extreme durability. Gold fillings, while highly effective, tend to be more expensive. For porcelain fillings, an impression of your tooth is taken and sent to a lab, where an inlay or onlay is prepared and later bonded to your tooth cavity with dental cement.
• Glass ionomer fillings come in various mixes and consistencies, with thicker formulations recommended for tooth fillings to ensure durability. These fillings are versatile and can be used for different dental needs.

PLACING THE FILLING MATERIAL
Once the appropriate filling material is selected, the next step is to place it inside the prepared tooth cavity. The technique used depends on the type of material chosen.

For amalgam and some composite fillings, your dentist will place the material layer by layer. This layered approach ensures that there are no voids or underfilled areas, providing a sturdy and secure restoration. It’s important to avoid placing too much material at once, as this can result in gaps.

However, recent advancements in composite materials have introduced ‘bulk fill’ composites, which take away the need for layering. These composites can be applied in a single, substantial layer. This makes the filling process quicker and easier.

ALLOWING THE FILLING TO SET
The setting process varies depending on the type of filling material used.

Amalgam fillings set within a few minutes on their own. If the dentist works too slowly, the material may set while they are packing it into the cavity.

Composite fillings require curing with an LED curing light to harden the material. This light emits a specific frequency of light that triggers the hardening process. Composite resin can also set with visible daylight, but it takes significantly longer. Leaving composite resin exposed to light without a cover will cause it to harden prematurely.

ADJUSTMENTS AND BITE ALIGNMENT
After the filling material has finished hardening, the dentist will make the necessary adjustments to your bite. These adjustments are important for ensuring that the filling does not interfere with your normal bite pattern. It will prevent any discomfort during chewing or biting down.

POLISHING AND FINISHING
The final step in the dental filling procedure involves polishing the restoration. Specialized polishers will make the filling look and feel glossy. This process is quick and painless, leaving you with a beautifully restored tooth.