A dental filling is one of the oldest dental procedures in dentistry. A dental filling is a way for dentists to restore the function and look of decayed or damaged teeth. There are two different types of dental fillings that they will use to restore your teeth: direct fillings and indirect fillings.

Both types restore the function and look of the damaged and decayed teeth, but they do so differently. The filling you need will depend on a few factors, such as the teeth’s location, the damage's extent, and the type of damage.

• Direct Fillings

A direct filling is the filling that can be completed inside the mouth without the need for a laboratory. Because the dentist can complete it wholly in the mouth, you will usually only need one dental visit. You will not need a temporary or provisional filling while you wait.

Dentists usually make direct fillings from composite resin or silver amalgam. Usually, the dentist removes the decaying tissues, cleans the tooth, then places the filling in the cavity. They then shape and harden it, allowing the patient to continue with their life.

• Indirect Fillings

Indirect fillings cannot be completed inside the mouth and are only made outside the mouth. Once the dentist creates them outside the mouth, they place them in the affected tooth. They include:

• Crowns

• Veneers

• Bridges

• Dental implants

• Onlays

• Inlays

Usually, dentists prepare these fillings in a laboratory on an in-office milling machine. The patient will require two dental visits if the dentist uses the lab. 

The dentist prepares the tooth during the first visit by taking out the decaying tissues. They will also reshape the remaining healthy tissue to prepare for the filling. It means that sometimes, they may remove part of the healthy tooth structure to ensure a smooth fitting of the filling. 

After this first part of the procedure, they will take an oral scan or an impression for the lab to fashion the filling. The dentists will insert a temporary filling in the affected tooth while you wait for the fabrication. Depending on the complexity and the lab, it can take between one and two weeks. During the second visit, they fit the filling and cement it. 

• Semi-direct

There is a procedure that utilizes both techniques. In this procedure, after the dentist prepares the tooth, they take a scan or impression of the tooth. They will then prepare a filling using a milling machine. They may also use prefabricated fillings made of composite. The result is usually close to an indirect filling, but you get same-day results.

Types of Patients

The type of patient will dictate whether the dentist takes the direct or indirect approach. A direct approach is best if a patient has shallow cavities or prefers veneers. However, an indirect approach is best if the patient has rotated teeth or deep cavities.

Complications

Some patients may experience sensitivity following any of the procedures. It can last between a few days and a few weeks. With the direct approach, the filling may stain or chip over time.

For more on direct and indirect fillings, call bty Dental at (907) 333-6666 to reach our offices in Anchorage, Alaska.