There are two main types of dental fillings: metal and tooth color. Metal fillings are usually of a mercury amalgam, silver, tin and copper. These are referred to as silver due to their color, not because silver is the major component. Some dentists also offer metal fillings option in gold alloy (gold mixed with a little harder metals such as copper). The tooth-colored fillings can be of composite resin (a mixture of plastic and glass), glass ionomer or resin or porcelain. Metal amalgam and tooth-colored composite resin are currently the most popular fillers.

Why are there different types of tooth fillings?
Fillings have several different attributes that make them suitable for different types of restoration. The desirable characteristics of a dental filler include:
Efficiency material costs
Ease of placement
The strength of materials
The placement without removal of very healthy dental tissue
Biocompatibility (materials do not react with the body of unwanted form)
natural appearance
The corrosion resistance over time and discoloration
If the filler strengthens or weakens the tooth, long term
If filling creates a tight seal to prevent the entry of bacteria and food debris
Minimum wear on tooth opposition
Can be used for the recovery of chewing and biting surfaces

No filler one meets all the above criteria. This means that the dentists and patients have together to determine what type of dental filling will provide the most satisfactory result based on the location of the tooth, the size and depth of the cavity and the amount of money that the patient is willing or is able to pass. Dental insurance often reimburses for fillings based on the assumption that the cheapest and technical materials at least time consuming will be used (usually metal amalgam). The patient must pay the difference of more expensive materials costs or procedures. For more information on each type of tooth filling your dentist can discuss during your consultation.

Tooth metal fillings with amalgam are known to be:

The cheaper filler
A material that all dentists are trained to install
Able to withstand chewing forces (which makes it good for use in molars)
Durable, long lasting and wear-resistant
Seals well and tends to help prevent further deterioration in the treated area
Types of fillings dentáriasPor other hand, a silver color is easily visible in the mouth and tends to discolor less attractive to a dark metallic color over time. Since the amalgam does not adhere to the tooth surface, a certain amount of healthy tooth structure should be removed. This is done to create a hole the right size and shape to wedge the metal amalgam to where it will be held firmly in place.

The most disturbing concern about metal fillings is the presence of mercury (metal amalgams are often about 50 percent of mercury mixed with other metals). Small quantities of mercury vapor can be released from the amalgam with time, depending on the size and number of fillers and patient lifestyle habits such as tooth grinding. These tiny amounts of mercury may be ingested or inhaled during the lifetime of the filling. However, this is not the only source of environmental mercury exposure for most people, has not been found to exceed the limits considered safe.

Since mercury-based fillings have been used regularly in dentistry for over 150 years, they are the best researched of dental restoration material. At this time, the FDA, CDC and other public health agencies found no reason to recommend restricting or stopping the use of mercury in dental fillings. At the same time, patients have the option to request the removal of mercury fillings and replacement with other materials, if they are concerned about the potential health risks.

This resin is generally a mixture of acrylic (plastic) and silica (glass), forming a soft composite material which can be hardened by exposure to a laser light blue lamp. The advantages of using resin include:
Close match the surrounding enamel, restoring to look natural
The material will not corrode
Very strong and durable
It can be used in small and medium-sized cavities on the front or back of the teeth
As metal amalgam may be placed in a single visit
Allows preserving healthy tissue of the tooth
May be placed after the cavity was prepared with an air abrasion tool instead of a drill (some patients find it more comfortable)
The composite is more difficult to place because, like all fillers other than amalgam tooth, the treatment area should be kept completely dry throughout the procedure. Once the compound is applied and hardened (cured) in layers, it takes longer to install than an amalgam filling. Some patients find that the resin may become stained over time. This material is not as strong or as long as metal amalgam and generally is not recommended for the restoration of larger cavities. It tends to work best for repairing areas where decay has penetrated not passed the enamel. Composite is a little more expensive than amalgam.

Gold alloy is a very strong tooth filling material, but its texture makes it easy to shape for a perfect fit with the prepared cavity. This allows less removal of healthy tooth structure while allowing excellent isolation to prevent the entry of food scraps and discourage further decay. The metal tends to resist the pressure and chewing forces without causing undue wear of the opposing teeth. It is resistant to discoloration and gold remain over time. Gold is the most expensive dental filling material, and the design will have two visits to complete.

These come in two different varieties, those that are primarily resin, and which are mainly glass (each selection is also a mixture of resin materials and glass). These are the color of tooth restorations. They are not as strong as composite resin and are normally used only for small cavities in front teeth. Glass ionomers can be treated with fluorine that may reduce the chance of further deterioration. Fillings ionomer wear faster than any compound or metal amalgam. These fillings ionomer can get loose, fracture, develop a rough surface or other issues that require replacement. They fall somewhere between metal and fillers Price compounds.

These are indirect fillings (they are custom manufactured in laboratory based on a tooth mold and then placed in a separate visit). Porcelain is more biocompatible filler material and is not known to cause any allergic reactions in patients. A cover or onlay is generally recommended for the repair of large cavities that are not quite big enough to warrant a full crown. The material is often of long duration and very durable and does not require the removal of a significant amount of healthy tooth tissue. Porcelain fillings can be used both in front and back teeth with natural appearance to the restoration. Placement recommendations differ since the material can be sufficient to cause the opposing teeth wear. Certain shear forces can also cause cracks since the material is not as flexible as the metal. Porcelain inlays and overlays are precisely color corresponding to the surrounding enamel.

Dental Aesthetics: indirect restorations (inlays, onlays) resin or ceramic

The indirect restorations are indicated for posterior teeth (premolars and molars) when the teeth have large cavities typically result of caries or just to replace old silver amalgam restorations unsightly, thereby allowing return to their shape, appearance and natural chewing.

They are usually made of porcelain or resin laboratory tooth color. Research shows that indirect restorations ceramic can be as strong as natural teeth.

The technique is to remove the decay or old restoration, make an impression of the prepared tooth that will be sent to the laboratory confeccionará said indirect restoration (inlay or onlay) resin or porcelain. During the period of production the prepared tooth is covered with a temporary material, which will be removed at the time of cementation. Then the tooth is restored already polished.

This type of restoration beyond aesthetics has the additional advantages:
better fit, finish and polish the restoration margins;
more correct anatomy in particular with respect to the contact point;
the fact of being made in the laboratory and not in the mouth (absence of saliva, blood, etc.), allows for greater control of the curing which results in a significant improvement of their physical and mechanical properties.

The Maxillofacial Surgery is a medical specialty that is in charge of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of congenital or acquired diseases (disease, malformation, tumor, trauma, or aging desgenerescência) of the skull, face, mouth, jaws and neck

The Oral Surgery is one of the broad areas of dentistry. This specialty is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders, injuries and diseases of the oral cavity and associated structures. The most commonly performed surgical procedures, are associated with tooth extractions with little maintenance feasibility of the oral cavity, including teeth with very large cavities not restorable teeth with great bone loss, impacted teeth and large associated infections. Despite the small and medium surgeries are the most frequent, this area is still responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases that affect the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, such as cysts and tumors, or lesions lingual level.

It is also noted that some more complex rehabilitation treatments may require the intervention of this area. For example, for orthodontic reasons or the need for prosthetic rehabilitation, with or without placement of implants, tooth extraction or surgical removal of checks may be required (in the case of prosthetic rehabilitation) for a further optimization of the results.

It is a branch of dentistry that acts at the level of dental structures, affected by caries, trauma, developmental abnormalities, among other factors, to promote the restoration of anatomical and functional integrity of the affected structures.

Endodontics (Greek: endo - "inside"; odonto - "tooth" and "would" -ation), commonly known as root canal, is one of the areas of dentistry, responsible for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the pulp dental and periapical tissues (around the tooth root) and which aims to conserve the tooth in the mouth.

The knowledge and mastery of facial analysis, gingival and dental become essential in the practice of modern dentistry. Knowing the power to face the attraction depends on the balance of all these components, there is increasingly a concern on the part of each individual based on his smile, in some cases leading to dissatisfaction situations and discomfort with it.

Situations such as bleeding or gum pain during brushing, feeling bad breath or repeated tooth sensitivity should not be overlooked. The Oral Hygiene queries are directed to the education and promotion of oral hygiene taking into account the individuality of each patient. The purpose of these consultations is the prevention of oral diseases by eliminating scaling + polishing food waste, plaque and tartar accumulated, determining factors for the onset of diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease.

The generalist dentistry refers to the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of biological, structural, functional and aesthetic natural teeth and adjacent tissue problems. Often resorts to other areas of dentistry more specific to correct this kind of problem.

Occlusion is the area of dentistry responsible for the study of contact relations between the dental arches and its performance lies with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of both of those related to incorrect gear teeth (bad occlusion) as the anomalies in the joints that unite the jaw to the skull - temporomandibular joints (TMJ).

Pediatric Dentistry is the area of dentistry dedicated to the oral health of infants, children and adolescents (up to 15 years). The dentist has knowledge of the various stages of growth and development of children, working in each of them, according to the individuality of each patient.

It is a field of dentistry the purpose of which is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting tissue of the teeth and support - periodontium (perioperative = around; = dental tooth), comprising the gums, the ligament periodontal, the cementum and alveolar bone.

The crown serves to artificially take a natural tooth is destroyed by decay, broken or brittle due to devitalization. The crown can be placed into a tooth root which can only insofar as this is in good estado.As crowns are made in the laboratory and from molds of the teeth dentista. A color is chosen according to the pitch of the teeth on around in order to create a natural appearance.

The bridge is a fixed prosthesis with at least two species of suport. They serve to fill one or more missing teeth settling along the gums and teeth naturais. The main principle and goal are always to meet the need for one or more because they are fractured teeth or caries.