Teeth Fillings Terminology

Types of Fillings

• Amalgam: A silver-colored filling material that is strong and durable but contains mercury.
• Composite Resin: A tooth-colored filling material that blends in with your natural teeth.
• Gold: A highly durable and long-lasting filling material, but it is also the most expensive.
• Porcelain (Inlays/Onlays): Custom-made, tooth-colored fillings used for larger cavities.

Filling Procedures

• Cavity Preparation: The process of removing decayed tooth structure before placing a filling.
• Bonding: The process of attaching a filling to the tooth structure.
• Curing Light: A special light used to harden composite resin fillings.
• Etching: Applying an acidic solution to prepare the tooth surface for bonding.
• Finishing and Polishing: Smoothing and shaping the filling to ensure a proper fit and bite.

Related Terms

• Caries: The technical term for tooth decay or cavities.
• Cavity: A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
• Composite Bonding: Using composite resin to repair chipped or cracked teeth.
• Indirect Filling: A filling that is made in a dental lab and then cemented onto the tooth (e.g., inlays, onlays).
• Local Anesthesia: Numbing medication used to prevent pain during dental procedures.
• Plaque: A sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth and contributes to tooth decay.
• Radiopaque: Appears white or light gray on an X-ray, indicating denser structures (like fillings).
• Restoration: A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth.
• Temporary Filling: A filling used to protect a tooth until a permanent filling can be placed.
• Tooth Decay: The process that occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at the tooth enamel.