What materials are dental fillings made from? Dental filling materials include: •Gold. •Porcelain. •Silver amalgam (contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper). •Tooth-colored, plastic, and glass materials are called composite resin fillings. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, your insurance coverage and your dentist’s recommendation help determine the type of filling that will best address your needs.
First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be worked on with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on your dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as the location and extent of the decay.
Next, your dentist will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it.
What are the side effects and risks?
Side effects that have been reported include:
