Dental fillings are typically the best option for repairing cavities in teeth. They can be confusing, though. Fillings fall under the category of general dentistry in South Plainfield, NJ, but pediatric, cosmetic, and emergency dentists also use them. What options do you have when it comes to fillings?

What Is a Dental Filling?

As the name suggests, a dental or tooth filling is a small amount of material that fills a hole in the enamel of a tooth. Bacteria in the mouth produce acid that eats away at the tooth enamel until a hole forms.

That is the primary purpose of a filling, but they can be effective in other ways, such as:

• To restore the function of a tooth
• Make a tooth look better
• Prevent a tooth from being sensitive to cold or heat

The type of dental filling used in that cavity depends on several factors.

Materials Used for Fillings

Our dentist in South Plainfield, NJ, will go over the various options for fillings. There are pros and cons to every type. Some common materials for fillings include:

• Composite resin—Synthetic plastic resin is often reinforced with other materials to make it stronger, such as powdered glass. It has the benefit of being the same shade as tooth enamel. That makes composite resin one of the most common fillings used by dentists.
• Amalgam—This was once the go-to filling material and is still popular in some areas. They are a silver color, though, so they are easy to see. Amalgam fillings tend to last a long time.
• Gold—Gold fillings are expensive, which makes them a luxury item. They do last a very long time.
• Ceramic or Porcelain—Ceramic fillings are also more expensive than composite or amalgam. And they require two office visits to complete.

Learn more about dental fillings in South Plainfield, NJ, by calling our office at Pediatrics on Park and scheduling an appointment.