Dental fillings replace parts of a tooth that has been damaged due to injury or decay. Also known as dental restoration, a filling preserves the integrity of the tooth and prevents further damage from cavities. Fillings can also restore the chewing surfaces of teeth that have become worn. Avoiding damage from decay or injury is preferable, but fillings are a good way to prevent the eventual loss of a tooth. Most cavities and fractures that are caught early are good candidates for restoration with fillings.

Who Needs Dental Fillings?
If your teeth are chipped, cracked or damaged by tooth decay, they need fillings. Large cavities are obvious and often painful, but small pinhole cavities and hard-to-see areas between teeth may also need attention. Dentists can find cavities and sites of tooth decay that you may not see in the mirror. X-rays, dental probes and dyes can reveal areas that need dental restoration. Dentists can also see areas that you may not be able to spot, which is one reason why regular dental check-ups are vital for your oral health. Regular visits allow the dentist to see small problems before they become large ones. Since decay (caries) starts in the inner tooth structures and slowly progresses outside, x-rays are an integral part of your mouth examination to see what’s inside of the tooth and under fillings and bridges. Although cavities are the most common reason for fillings, they are not the only reason your dentist may recommend reconstructive work. If you grind your teeth, bite your nails or use your teeth as tools, you may abrade the chewing surfaces enough to require a filling to restore a healthy bite. Signs that you may need a filling include:



Although cavities are the most common reason for fillings, they are not the only reason your dentist may recommend reconstructive work. If you grind your teeth, bite your nails or use your teeth as tools, you may abrade the chewing surfaces enough to require a filling to restore a healthy bite. Signs that you may need a filling include:

• Visible holes or dark spots on teeth
• Visible chips or cracks
• Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Sharp pain when biting down on the affected tooth
• A constant dull pain or ache

Materials for Fillings
Fillings used to be made of precious metals because they could withstand years of use. Today, gold and silver amalgam fillings are still available, but new options include tooth-colored resin composites and porcelain (Onlays and Inlays). Your dentist will recommend a filling type for you based on the amount of restoration that must be done, the location of the filling, your personal preferences and your budget.


Gold and Silver Amalgam Fillings have great longevity, often lasting 10 years or longer with normal maintenance. Although gold is the more expensive option for precious metal fillings, it offers extraordinarily long wear; gold fillings can last decades or even a life-time. Silver amalgam fillings provide an inexpensive option but contain silver, tin, copper and mercury. At Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center, amalgams are not used because of the non-precious materials within and lack of beauty of the restoration.

Composite Resin Fillings Composite Resin Fillings resemble a specialized epoxy and contain particles of silica or ceramics in a matrix. They can be blended to match the color of the surrounding tooth material, making the restoration unnoticeable. Because they adhere to the tooth structure, they spare more of the original tooth during the filling process in comparison to metal fillings that require more tooth structure removal for mechanical locking into the prepared cavity of the affected tooth.

Porcelain Fillings (Inlays) may be made entirely of the ceramic material or bonded to metal. They look natural and have greater longevity than composite fillings. Also called onlays, Porcelain Fillings are a good solution for worn teeth.

At Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center, we mostly use composite tooth colored restoration and advocate the use of metal-free-porcelain-fillings (inlays and onlays) for largely damaged teeth or big fillings, thus providing function, beauty and longevity of the filling.