Dental Fillings Overview by Dr. Noor Al Mortadi

Study Notes

Restores decayed teeth to retain normal function and shape.
Involves preparing the tooth by removing decay to create space for the filling material.
Vital pulp allows for direct filling; exposed or dead pulp necessitates root canal therapy prior to filling.

Restores normal tooth function.
Prevents pain.
Preserves pulp vitality.
For anterior teeth, maintains appearance; for posterior teeth, prevents further caries.

No universal best filling; effectiveness varies based on individual cases.
Each filling type has unique advantages, disadvantages, and applications influenced by decay location and size.

Temporary Fillings:
- Used as a short-term solution.
- Not durable; designed for limited time periods.
- Commonly employed for pain relief or when permanent fillings require multiple visits.
Permanent Fillings:
- Two main methods of application:
  - Direct Restorations: Placed in a single visit; includes dental amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and most composite fillings.
  - Indirect Restorations: Require multiple visits; includes inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, and bridges made from various materials. Impression taken for fabricating restorations in a dental laboratory.

Protects pulp from thermal shock and chemical irritation.
Composed of Calcium hydroxide powder and liquid.
Non-irritant, suitable for deep cavities, compatible with many materials, but only serves as a sub-lining.

Mixture of metals with mercury constituting 43% to 54%.
Commonly used for posterior teeth; one of the oldest filling materials with over 150 years of history.