When tooth decay occurs, the damaged portion of the tooth is removed and then sealed with a material to prevent any more damage or deposition of food fragments. Material used for such procedures will vary according to the requirement and practicability of the condition. Composite filling material is a very hard wearing substance and can be color-matched with the original tooth for a more natural look, while amalgam filling material is more appropriate for filling molars. Of the two choices of materials for fillings - amalgam or composite materials - the most commonly used is composite because they provide a more natural appearing restoration than the silver/grey of the amalgam fillings. Composite fillings were not always as long-lasting as the amalgam fillings, but advances in technology have improved these aspects of this material. Today, they can be used to fill all teeth including the molars.

Another benefit of the composite fillings is that the tooth doesn’t require as much preparation before the filling is placed. Most dental practitioners agree that removal of natural tooth material is not ideal and so composite fillings are used predominantly in dental procedures. A critical issue in the use of composite fillings is the dentist’s experience. The more conventional amalgam techniques did not pose so many challenges to the dentist as a composite filling procedure does today, and dentists need to have the correct skills to properly use this filling. Discuss this with your dentist to make sure that he/she can provide you with the optimum result. A dentist will visually examine the area affected, with the help of an X-ray to diagnose the problem that is causing pain. To fill the tooth, the dentist may or may not administer a local anaesthetic depending on the depth of the decay then the dentist will drill out the infected and decayed tissue with drills and lasers. An anti-bacterial agent and/or sodium rinse will be applied to the teeth after the decayed tooth material is cleaned out to protect the tooth against any further potential decay. A “rubber dam” is used to isolate the tooth from the other teeth and keep it dry while the filling material is applied.

After application of adhesives or bonding agents the dentist layers in the composite materials, checking the patients bite comfort at frequent intervals. If biting down is uncomfortable, the dentist carefully reshapes the filling and the procedure is finished. Once the appropriate shape and covering has been applied a special light is applied to harden the surface.