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Dental fillings are used to restore the tooth structure after the dentin and enamel damaged by acid producing bacteria has been removed by drilling. If  the dental fillings are done properly, they prevent further damage to the teeth and the tooth need not be removed. For small cavities, some dentists will not do a filling, since the cavity may heal itself naturally through the process of calcification.

Different types of  fillings may be used depending on the location of  the cavity, type of cavity and cost considerations. Direct restorations consist of  dental amalgam (silver filling), glass, resin ionomers and resin composite fillings. The dentist prepares the cavity and places the filling in the tooth in a single sitting. For indirect restorations, the dentist prepares an impression of the tooth in the first sitting and the veneer or crown is fitted on the tooth in the second sitting.

 Dental amalgam or silver filling has been used widely by dentists for more than a century. It is durable, inexpensive, easy to use and does not wear away quickly. It is a stable alloy made by combining mercury, silver, tin, copper and other metallic elements. Though mercury is a toxic metal, the alloy used in dental amalgam is very stable, safe and does not cause any side effects. It is used for restoring the molars which are used for chewing.

Since the dental amalgam is silver colored, it may not be suitable for filling cavities in the front of  the mouth as it is not natural looking. Also more tooth structure may have to be removed by the dentist to place a filling made from dental amalgam compared to other types of fillings.

Composite fillings are tooth colored and are also called filled resins. They are a mixture of  glass or quartz filler in a resin medium.  They are durable and resistant to wear. A smaller amount of tooth structure may have to be removed, compared to amalgam fillings. The cavity has to be kept dry while a composite filling is placed in the mouth and this process takes a longer time compared to amalgam fillings. The composite filling may get discolored after some time.