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A filling is what a dentist uses to restore a decayed or
damage portion of a tooth. A filling is used when the area of decay is
small to moderate in size. A filling depends on a solid portion of tooth
around it to support and hold it in place.
 For
over 100 years amalgams or silver fillings were the most common type of
filling material. They are dark in color and tend to stain and darken the
teeth. Amalgams contain many metals including silver, nickel, tin, and
mercury. Some people maybe allergic to one or more of these metals.
 Newer
filling materials are composites and ceramics. These fillings are a mixture
of plastic and glass particles. They are white in color so they are more
cosmetic. Composites are placed with adhesives so that they are bonded into the tooth. The composites are hardened
into the tooth with a strong intense light.
For a filling to last and restore the tooth well the decay
must be small or moderate in size. If the decay is large the tooth will
require an onlay or a crown
to adequately restore it.
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