Improper dietary habits like consumption of more decay-causing food like sweets, soda and beverages along with poor oral hygiene leads to cavitation of teeth. If diagnosed in the early stages, it is easier to treat the decay and might not need extensive therapies. The decayed part of the teeth is removed and is filled with suitable materials. Dental fillings are used to restore the tooth structure and revive the function and strength of the tooth. Initially, amalgam was used as the filling material. Nowadays they are replaced by GIC and Composite.
These are esthetic than the conventional fillings. These filings are matched to the shade closest to the teeth. GIC also known as Glass Ionomer Cement is an esthetic filling with efficacy to release fluoride which has anti-cavity capability. It comes in limited shades and is used extensively for fillings. Post-treatment, there are certain restrictions for few hours. These filings are durable. Composite are more esthetic fillings and are available in many shades that can be closely approximated to the natural tooth.
