Dental fillings

Dentist Guide, Tooth fillings

Filling material: ceramic or composite?

If a visit to the dentist shows that one or more teeth need a filling, the right material has to be chosen. Composite or ceramic fillings – that is the key question in this article. Both materials are popular for closing cavities, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. Anxious patients should not put off their visit: otherwise, every gap can cause the whole set of teeth to shift. This can lead to problems when eating – something a timely visit to the dentist can prevent.

Mouldable composite fillings?

Composite fillings differ from rigid fillings such as ceramic inlays because they are more mouldable. Composite fillings are used to repair defects in the teeth. Once the cavity has been closed with the composite filling, sensitive dental nerves and the inside of the tooth are protected. Composite fillings are used especially for front teeth. The dentist places a rubber dam on the affected tooth to keep it dry, so that saliva can no longer flow into the tooth being filled. The bond between the tooth and the composite filling is improved by roughening the surface in combination with a chemical bonding agent. The composite filling will only adhere once the cavity is completely dry. The mouldable composite is placed in the dry cavity; larger cavities require several layers. At the end of the treatment, the rubber dam is removed and the filling is hardened with cold light. Finally, the filling is polished to give you a perfect bite.

Advantages of composite fillings

  • The colour can be matched perfectly to the front teeth
  • Tooth structure in the visible front-tooth area is stabilised
  • Composite fillings withstand reasonable chewing forces

Disadvantages of composite fillings

  • After hardening, the filling and the tooth do not always form a single unit; tiny cracks can become a breeding ground for decay
  • The cost of composite fillings is high
  • Depending on your diet, composite fillings can darken over time, which limits their lifespan

Ceramic fillings as an alternative?

Filling material and cost are two factors we will discuss with you. Instead of placing a mouldable filling in the cavity, ceramic fillings are a popular option. An inlay can be made in the dental practice or by a dental laboratory. All-ceramic materials such as fired ceramic, pressed ceramic or zirconium oxide ceramic are used. Dual-curing composite cements are used for fixing, with special resin adhesive as an alternative. A precise fit is ensured by taking an impression of the area to be filled and of the opposing teeth. One or two appointments at the practice are enough for ceramic inlays when modern technology with 3D models is used. The latest technology makes traditional impressions unnecessary – something anxious patients appreciate. Patients are pleased to leave the dentist with a finished ceramic filling.

Advantages of a ceramic filling

Disadvantages of a ceramic filling

  • gold inlays can be fitted even more precisely than ceramic inlays
  • unfilled gaps at the margins are a breeding ground for bacteria
  • the cost of ceramic fillings is higher than that of composite fillings

Reducing pain with fillings

Fear of the dentist can increase pain, so those affected should consider therapy for their anxiety. The treatment does not have to be painful: with an experienced team and psychological counselling before the treatment, pain from fillings can be kept to a minimum. Putting off treatment out of fear literally makes the problem bigger: the cavity grows and the treatment takes longer if you delay your visit. Having a filling does not have to hurt. The first signs of decay should be treated straight away to keep cavities – and the pain of fillings – to a minimum. What happens before, during and after the treatment? Some patients have found that being better informed means less pain when having a filling.