Our clinic uses composite and glass-ionomer fillings to repair decayed teeth. We do not have amalgam fillings.
Composite Fillings
A composite filling (also known as a white or tooth -coloured filling) is a blend of plastic and nano-glass beads, that uses UV light to set it. It does not contain mercury like the traditional amalgam (metal) fillings.
As well as being used to restore decayed teeth, due to their ability to highly mimic natural teeth, they can be also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured or unusually-shaped teeth.
How is a composite placed?
Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a light specialized to harden each layer. At our clinic, we use lights that can harden these fillings in just 3 to 5 seconds – lessening the time it takes to do the filling, which is ideal for treating kids, but also ideal for any patient, as it lessens the time you have to spend opening your mouth!
When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and to make it look shiny and natural.
Glass ionomer fillings:
A glass ionomer cement is a filling material and luting (bonding) cement, including for orthodontic bracket attachment. Glass–ionomer cements are based on the reaction of silicate glass-powder (calciumaluminofluorosilicate glass) and polyacrylic acid, an ionomer.
Glass ionomer fillings form a chemical link with the tooth. They also release fluoride, which is helpful for preventing further decay underneath the filling, or in patients that have a high incidence of tooth decay.
It bonds better than composites in situations where there is difficulty controlling moisture (such as a kid who does not allow the dental assistant to suction water and saliva) or in any cases where the cavity goes below the gingival (gum) level.
However, GIC fillings are weaker than composite resin fillings as they are more subject to wearing down, especially on the biting surfaces. Because of this, they are traditionally used on baby teeth and on ‘non-biting’ surfaces such as around the ‘necks’ of the teeth, or as an “interim” or provisional filling. Many dentists still like GIC because less tooth structure has to be removed (fluoride releasing properties can harden semi-affected areas of the tooth, although all softened dentine should be removed).
Research and technology continues to improve the properties of GIC hardness and resilience, and the latest GIC from GC called Equia Forte is the GIC preferred by this clinic. There are also other GICs available that can be set quickly with a light, which are again very useful for kids.
The dentist treating you will weigh-up the pros and cons to decided which material to use for your specific case.
