If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have kidney disease your dentist may choose a different material. Amalgam is safe and effective to use for most people, and is supported by the Australian Dental Association. Also, a small amount of mercury can be absorbed by your body from the filling. The downside of amalgam is that more of your tooth may need to be cut away to help the filling stay in place. If you already have amalgam fillings you don’t need to have them replaced unless there is a specific reason to do so. It’s a very strong filling material, which has been used for more than 150 years.Īmalgam fillings have become less common in recent years. your tooth cavity needs to be covered up between root canal treatment appointmentsĭental amalgam is a mixture of metals, including silver, copper, tin, mercury and zinc.there is not enough time to complete your treatment in one dental visit.your tooth needs to be treated over more than one appointment.Sometimes the filling material will need to be removed again very soon. Your dentist or dental practitioner may decide to do a temporary filling. You may need 2 appointments to get a gold or porcelain filling, as they are made in a dental laboratory, to fit your tooth. Gold fillings are very strong and long lasting. Porcelain fillings can be matched to the colour of your other teeth.

Gold and porcelain are long-lasting fillings. It has many other uses too such as fissure sealing. Glass-ionomer cement might be used if you need a temporary filling.

Glass-ionomer cement is also white or tooth coloured. A small amount of your old tooth is removed when getting a composite filling. Composite resin filling material is bonded (glued) to your tooth. It can be matched to the colour of your other teeth. Composite resinĬomposite resin is a white or tooth-coloured material. Your dentist or dental practitioner will advise you which is suitable for you. Various materials can be used to fill a cavity (hole) in your tooth. Your dentist or dental practitioner may find damage to the structure of a tooth when you have a dental x-ray. You may need a filling if you have tooth decay or if the tooth has been damaged due to trauma. Your dentist or dental practitioner can use a dental filling to fix a cavity (hole), in a tooth.

Related information on Australian websites.

What are the benefits and risks of a dental filling?.

What should I expect after a dental filling?.

Your dentist or dental practitioner can tell you the best filling material to fix your tooth.

A dental filling will help your tooth look and work at its best.

Dental fillings help protect your tooth from further damage.

Various materials can be used for dental fillings.

You may need a dental filling if there is a cavity (hole) in your tooth due to decay or trauma.

Ona holes feel so good