After decay is removed from a tooth, something must be placed in that space to give strength back to the tooth.

Fillings: Fillings are the most common restorative procedure. Fillings can be silver or white.

Inlays and onlays: In addition to fillings, lab fabricated inlays and onlays are available. Although many patients think of these as fillings as well, they are actually different since they are laboratory fabricated.

Silver (amalgam) fillings: Silver fillings have been used reliably for many years. Typically, silver fillings are placed on back teeth (molars). They are an economical way of providing a lasting restoration for most cavities. The material is specially formulated to withstand years of chewing pressure.

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White fillings: White fillings are an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but recently a stronger more durable material has been developed that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.

White fillings are most commonly used for:

• Cosmetic reasons
• Patients who prefer mercury-free fillings
• Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold - the composite resin doesn't conduct temperature changes as fast as silver or gold.

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Gold inlay or onlay: A gold inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a silver filling, but isn't so big that a crown is required. An inlay is a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the tooth.

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