Need a filling? Here are the details.
Composite fillings are strong, but may not be as hard-wearing as amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are tooth colored and are made from powdered glass quartz, silica or other ceramic particles added to a resin base. After the tooth is prepared, the filling is bonded onto the area and a light shone onto it to set it. The dentist will choose a shade to match your own teeth, although over time staining can happen. In the case of Amalgam fillings are silver colored. They are made by combining mercury and a silver alloy (50% mercury, 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper, and other metals). Amalgam is long lasting and hard-wearing. This kind of filling is usually used on the back 'chewing' teeth. Before the filling can be placed, the dentist must prepare the area by removing all the decay and shaping the cavity to hold the filling in place. If the tooth is badly broken, your dentist may need to place a small stainless steel pin to help secure the filling. The mercury in dental amalgam i...