White composite fillings, inlays, and onlays from our dentist at Trail Dental & Surgery can repair decayed or damaged teeth, restoring their strength, function, and natural appearance.
What Are Dental Fillings?
You may be familiar with fillings as a common dental treatment for minor tooth damage caused by cavities or wear and tear over long periods of time.
Dental fillings can be crafted from various materials, depending on the location of the damage and your budget. Likewise, fillings may vary in how extensive they are, how much they support the structure of a damaged tooth, and even what they are called.
When your dentist places a filling, the goal isn’t just to restore the tooth’s strength and function. A well-done filling also helps relieve discomfort and sensitivity caused by decay or damage and protects your natural tooth structure against future damage.
Direct Fillings
Direct fillings are small, targeted fillings placed inside a prepared cavity, covering only the parts of the tooth that are experiencing decay. This type of filling can be made from any material and is usually used for cavities on the sides or between two teeth.
Inlays
Larger than regular fillings, inlays are restorations that fill the space between rounded edges or cusps, at the centre of the tooth's surface. Aesthetic inlays can be made from composite resin or porcelain. You may opt to replace silver fillings with aesthetic inlays to restore the appearance of your smile.
At Trail Dental & Surgery, we use CEREC® technology to create and place ceramic tooth-coloured inlays in just one easy visit.
Onlays
One or more cusps on a damaged tooth may be covered with onlays. Onlays can be a helpful solution when a dental crown would be excessive. They are often more durable and longer-lasting than regular dental fillings.
At Trail Dental & Surgery, CEREC technology is used to create and place onlays in just one appointment. With proper care and attention, dental onlays can last for decades.
Filling Materials
Composite Fillings
Composite resin fillings are used to treat cavities or damage while maintaining the tooth's shape and natural colour.
When applying these fillings, your dentist will custom-blend each one to match the colour of the surrounding tooth, helping to preserve the appearance of your smile.
Silver Amalgam Fillings
Silver amalgam fillings can last up to 15 years, which makes them much more durable than composite resin fillings.
However, the material used to create these restorations has a characteristic silver-grey appearance that is very noticeable against the colour of a natural tooth. Because of this, amalgam fillings are often used for parts of your smile that are hidden from view.
Cast Gold Fillings
Fillings made from cast gold are very strong and long-lasting. Some patients may find the appearance of gold in their teeth more desirable than that of amalgam.
Gold fillings are, generally speaking, more expensive than either of the above options. Fillings made from gold typically require two appointments and are often used for similarly located cavities, as with amalgam fillings.