What does amalgam, composite, and CEREC mean?

tooth with metal

When you have damaged or decayed teeth, your dentist may recommend placing dental fillings.

Fillings can help fix cavities. They involve cleaning the affected tooth before the filling material is applied.

Fillings can be placed directly inside the tooth or fabricated in the lab and applied on a separate dental visit. Your dentist recommends a filling material depending on your specific needs.

Here are the different types of dental fillings - amalgam, composite, and CEREC.

  1. Dental amalgam

    Dental amalgam or amalgam filling contain different metals, including mercury and silver. It comes in a silver color, reflecting materials used for it.

    Amalgam is durable, long-lasting, and more affordable than other filling materials. Because of its strength, it’s often used for teeth enduring heavy chewing forces, such as the molars.

    Amalgam is a common dental material. It dries quickly, which makes it ideal in areas that are hard to keep dry and for patients who cannot sit in the dental chair for a long period.

    However, it doesn’t look natural, so it’s rarely placed at the front teeth or visible areas in the mouth. At Dentistes REMA we recommend other filling options due to the following reasons:

    • The material may not fit those with metal allergies.
    • Amalgam usually requires removal of more tooth structure.
    • Amalgam can expand and contract due to temperature changes. When it expands, the teeth can crack. When it contracts, debris can get to the tooth and cause decay.

  2. Composite resin

    Composite fillings are metal-free and are color-matched to the natural teeth. They’re made of high-quality plastic and ceramic, making them suitable for front teeth applications.

    Composite resin blends with your smile for a natural look. But it isn’t as strong as other materials. It may not be appropriate for large cavities or teeth used for heavy chewing.

    But due to its cosmetic feature, composite resin fillings can be beneficial for fixing minor tooth damage and enhancing the appearance of your teeth.

    Composite resin is costlier than amalgam and also takes longer to apply. It's applied in several layers. Each layer is hardened using special light before the next one is applied.

    The advantage of composite resin is it doesn’t respond to changes in temperature. It won’t crack or deform. It only requires a little amount of enamel to be scraped, which preserves more of the natural tooth structure.

  3. Ceramic dental fillings (CEREC)

    CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It allows you to receive the dental restoration you need in a single dental visit or while you wait.

    The CEREC system uses CAD (computer-assisted design) or CAM (computer-assisted manufacturing) to fabricate dental fillings and crowns in one day.

    CEREC fillings combine the benefits you can enjoy from amalgam and composite fillings. It offers stability and can be applied to any tooth, may it be visible ones or those at the back.

    Since CEREC uses advanced software, your dentist can capture accurate impressions of your teeth and customize your restoration. These design specifications are then forwarded to the milling equipment.

    The equipment produces the restoration, and your dentist places it on your tooth. CEREC is often the preferred option for dental restorations because of the following:

    • It makes dental procedures a lot faster and more convenient.
    • It doesn’t require multiple visits and doesn’t interfere with your daily schedule.
    • The milling equipment used for the fabrication is right at the dental office, giving your dentist more control of the process.
    • Since you can receive your restoration in one day, you no longer have to use temporary ones to protect the prepared area. This reduces your risks of developing dental problems while undergoing dental treatments.

Learn more about fixing decayed teeth in Quebec

Amalgam, composite, and CEREC are materials used for dental restoration, each with their pros and cons. For more information about dental fillings or fixing damaged teeth, contact us today.

See which option is right for your case. Our team is pleased to help you find a long-term solution for your dental concerns.