Types of Fillings
At our office, we offer a variety of dental restorative materials that are supported by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Composite:
A composite restoration is a tooth-colored bonding material that will restore the appearance of the tooth to its natural state. Composite restorations require more cooperation from the patient since the placement of a composite filling is more technique-sensitive. A child must be able to keep their mouth open for one minute and tolerate suction and gauze. When placing a composite, less tooth structure is removed than is needed to hold an amalgam restoration. With the latest advancements, composite fillings are durable and can resist fracture in small to mid-size restorations. A composite filling is a mixture of a glass or quartz filler in a resin medium.
- Amalgam:
An amalgam restoration is an alloy consisting of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. The mercury in amalgam is stable, since it is combined with other metals rendering it safe to use as a filling material. Amalgam as a filling material is durable, highly resistant to wear, and has a greater ease of placement than a composite filling.
- Stainless Steel Crowns:
If a pulpotomy (or baby tooth root canal) procedure has been done a primary molar then the restoration of choice is stainless steel crown. Since a pulptomy results in the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure, a crown is recommended since it provides full coverage of the tooth and will eliminate the chance of fracture. Once a stainless steel crown is placed, it will fall out with the tooth when the tooth is naturally ready to be lost with age. A stainless steel crown is pre-fabricated and will be placed at the same time the pulpotmy procedure is completed.