A dental filling is used to fix a cavity (hole) in a tooth. You may need a filling if you have tooth decay, if the tooth has been damaged due to trauma or if decay is discovered on a dental x-ray.
There are various materials that can be used to fill a cavity (hole) in your tooth.
Composite resin
Composite resin is a white or tooth-coloured material. It can be matched to the colour of your other teeth. Composite resin filling material is bonded (glued) to your tooth. A small amount of your old tooth is removed when getting a composite filling.
Glass-ionomer cement
Glass-ionomer cement is also white or tooth coloured. It is not as strong as composite resin so is generally used on the outside surface of teeth which is not in direct contact with opposing teeth. It can also be used as temporary filling, to cover up the hole created between root canal treatment appointments, for emergency visits and fissure sealing.
