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. Our office uses only white mercury-free fillings.

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

White fillings: Our office uses only white mercury-free 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.

Advantages of white fillings:

• White restorations are more natural looking
• Many patients prefer mercury-free fillings
• Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold find that the composite resin doesn't conduct temperature changes as fast as silver or gold.
  

White Porcelain or Resin inlay or onlay: A porcelain or resin inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a 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.

Gold inlay or onlay: A gold inlay or onlay may be used instead of a white one.