Fillings are a common dental procedure and may help to restore health and shape of a tooth that has been damaged by a cavity or decay. To prepare a tooth for a filling, the dentist will dispose of the damaged area of the tooth, cleanse around it, and then fill in the tooth with a compound that will conform to the form and shape of the rest of the tooth.

Fillings help to prevent further decay of the damaged tooth by blocking off the area where bacteria enter the teeth, i.e. the cavity. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, and amalgam, silver and composite resin. There is no single type of filling that is best, as several factors must be considered when choosing a filling. These factors include the shape of your tooth, your reaction to the materials to be used, which tooth needs to be filled and the amount of repair required.

If gold fillings are to be used, they are produced in a laboratory and then cemented into the proper place by your dentist. Gold fillings can last for many years and fits smoothly into place with your gums. While this type of filling is considered by many people to be superior to others, it is rather expensive and may take several visits to the dentist for the procedure to be complete.

Silver fillings are less expensive than their gold counterparts and may be very durable. Dentists do not recommend them for areas of the mouth that are visible, such as the front teeth, because their dark color makes them much more visible than either porcelain or composite fillings. Composite fillings are used frequently because their color matches that of your teeth. The materials used to make the composite filling are mixed together and then placed in the cavity, where it molds to your tooth and hardens. Composite fillings may last for several years and are generally used for smaller areas or those where they will not chip.

Another type of filling is the porcelain filling. This type of filling is very frequently and is created in a laboratory where its color and shape is matched to your own teeth. Once it has been match to the dentist's satisfaction, it is bonded to your damaged tooth. Porcelain fillings do not stain easily, but they may be expensive and could cost as much as gold fillings.

If a large portion of your tooth is damaged due to decay, a crack or a cavity you may need a cap or a crown to repair the damage. If the damage has affected the nerve of the tooth, you may need to have a root canal. If the dentist determines that your tooth can be repaired with a filling, he/she will use on of the fillings listed earlier after removing the cavity. You may either choose which filling you would like, depending upon what you can afford or whether or not you have health insurance, or you may take the dentist's recommendation. Generally, composite or porcelain fillings will be recommended for most situations. Gold fillings have increased in popularity, but many people still desire a filling which matches their natural tooth color and is therefore less visible.

It is advisable to remember that a dentist is the only person who is qualified to make a decision regarding whether or not you require a filling. When you visit your dentist for your regular exam, he/she will look inside your mouth and use specially designed instruments that helps the dentist examine the surfaces of your teeth. If you have some damage, a filling is generally recommended. The area to be filled is numbed with a local anesthetic, so you will not feel the procedure. Most fillings take less than one hour and match your natural tooth color. In addition to looking natural, they may help save your tooth.