Fillings

The first step in treating a decayed tooth is to prepare the cavity for restoration. In most cases, this will involve the application of an injectable anesthetic. Cleaning out decay and shaping the cavity is performed with hand pieces called cutting burrs. Hand pieces may also direct air, water, or both into the cavity to control heat due to friction and to flush away debris. Hand pieces may have variable speeds for cutting as opposed to cleaning. There is no single, ideal material for dental fillings. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and the materials most often used are silver amalgam (silver and mercury), gold, composites (plastic and glass-like ground filler which are naturally white) and porcelain. The area is prepared and cut to the desired shape and dimensions. The filling is chosen and the prepared area is filled. Amalgam becomes solid within an hour and reaches full strength after 24 hours. Composites require no shaping of the cavity and are put on the cavity in layers. Gold and porcelain are fabricated outside the mouth, inserted and cemented in place.