Fillings

Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include gold, porcelain, and composite. The strength and durability of traditional dental materials continue to make them useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, such as in the back of the mouth.

Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, as well as on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.

What’s right for your child?

Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity and expense of dental restorations, including:

  • The components used in the filling material
  • The amount of tooth structure remaining
  • Where and how the filling is placed
  • The chewing load that the tooth will have to bear
  • The length and number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored tooth

Before your child’s treatment begins, your doctor will discuss all options and help you choose the best filling for your child’s particular case. It may be helpful to understand the two basic types of dental fillings: direct and indirect.

  • Direct fillings are fillings placed immediately into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings. The dentist prepares the tooth, places the filling and adjusts it in just one appointment.
  • Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. They include inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, and bridges fabricated with gold, base metal alloys, ceramics, or composites. During the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth and makes an impression of the area to be restored. The dentist then places a temporary covering over the prepared tooth. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory that creates the dental restoration. At the next appointment, the dentist cements the restoration into the prepared cavity and adjusts it as needed.
Patient Testimonials
“Wonderful staff who are extremely nice and patient with my twins! I would recommend Rolling Hills Dentistry to all families with kids! Always great service no matter what type of dental needs my kids have!” ~ Karen J. “Hands down the best pediatric dentistry I have ever taken my kids to. The dental assistant made the experience fun for my daughter and took the time to explain everything she did and every tool she used.” ~ Ali B. “Absolutely LOVE Rolling Hills Pediatric Dentistry. They do an excellent job of putting the kids at ease, talking to them about the procedure, showing them what will be done as well any and all instruments that will be used. They never proceed until the child AND the parent is comfortable and always talk TO the child, not AT the child. I HIGHLY recommend Rolling Hills Pediatric Dentistry.” ~ Maria K.