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Fillings
and Inlays
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White
Fillings
Composite, Glasionomercements (Toothcoloured)
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White
fillings : The most popular kind of 'white filling' is called a Composite
filling. It is made up of a composite quartz resin (glass and porcelain)
and usually contains some sort of light sensitive agent that is used
during curing. They are an attractive, durable alternative to silver
(amalgam) fillings. In the past, white fillings were placed only on
front teeth, but recently these composite materials have been specifically
designed to be able to survive the pressure of grinding when you chew.
These light cured composites are best looking and in most cases they
can be inserted in one appointment. |
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"Silver"
Fillings
Amalgam
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The principal component
of amalgam is Mercury. Due to the toxicity of Mercury, the principle
component of amalgam fillings, there is great debate as to the safety
of these fillings. Gamma-2-free amalgams continue to be used today
because they are hard, durable and inexpensive, despite the controversy.
There may still be unique circumstances that call for a silver (amalgam)
filling, like placing on back teeth (molars). |
Inlay
Ceramic |
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In
addition to fillings, lab fabricated inlays and onlays are also sometimes
used. Although many patients think of these as fillings as well, they
are actually different since they are laboratory fabricated. |
Inlay
Composite |
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A
porcelain or Composite inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too
big for a filling, but isn't so big that a crown is required. An inlay
is a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also known
as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and
strengthen the tooth. |
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Inlay
Gold
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Gold
fillings despite being expensive, have long history of use with excellent
durability, wear well, and do not cause excessive wear to the opposing
teeth. But they do conduct heat and cold making its presence felt
in the mouth. Recent advances has brought consumer focus on aesthetic
results of composites and procelain veneers and crowns. |
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