A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When we give you a filling, we first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling helps prevent further decay.

Materials used for fillings include porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-coloured fillings), and an amalgam, a metal alloy such as silver which due to its metal and mercury content is not in line with a holistic dental approach so we never have and never will use amalgam to fill your tooth at Evolve.

Before filling the cavity, we will first remove the decay and clean the affected area. The cleaned-out cavity will then be filled either with composite resin or porcelain.

No one type of filling is best for everyone or every tooth. What’s right for you will be determined by the extent of the repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost.
Options for different materials include:

• Composite (ceramic-plastic) resins are matched to be the same colour as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings generally from three to 10 years.
• Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a dental ceramic lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the colour of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth and last a long time due to the fact that they are exceptionally strong and hardwearing.

If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, a crown, or cap, may be recommended. Decay that is very deep and reached the nerve will mean that the tooth will require treatment with root canal therapy in order to save the tooth before it can be restored.