Dental fillings are aesthetic restorations made by the dentist or laboratory to close cavities or walls created by decay or trauma on the surfaces of your teeth.
There are direct and indirect fillings:
- Direct fillings are made by the dentist directly on the tooth by applying layers of resin material;
- Indirect fillings are made by the dental technician in the laboratory and then cemented by the dentist.
Direct fillings are made using composite resins with high aesthetic and mechanical properties.
Indirect fillings can be made from composite resin, ceramic, or gold.
Direct fillings require only one visit, while indirect fillings require 2 visits: in the first visit, the tooth is "prepared" for the future restoration, and the impression is taken, while in the second visit, the restoration is cemented into the mouth.
Direct fillings, if done correctly and with quality materials, can last several decades. Indirect fillings, being built in the laboratory with even more resistant materials, can guarantee a longer life.