A dental filling is a procedure used to fill a hole, or cavity, in a tooth. You may need a filling if you have tooth decay or if the structure of the tooth is lost due to trauma. These problems may be identified when you have a dental x-ray.
There are two types of dental fillings: amalgam and composite:
Amalgam – it is a mixture of metals, including silver, copper, tin, mercury and zinc and is a very strong material
Composite – it is a white or tooth-colored material; it can be matched to the color of the other teeth and looks more natural than amalgam, but it is a bit more extensive