Fillings are used to seal small holes in your tooth caused by decay,  also called a “cavity”.  A filling prevents the cavity from spreading further in your tooth.  Composite resin, or “white fillings”, are a very common type of filling done in dentistry today.  Traditional amalgam fillings were metal fillings, which contained mercury.  The fillings done at Oppel Family Dentistry are mercury and metal free.  Composite fillings have physical properties closer to the tooth structure then conventional metal fillings. Composite fillings also bond to the tooth structure allowing for more conservative tooth removal than traditional amalgam fillings.  In addition composite filling are also esthetically appealing as they match your natural tooth color. We may identify a cavity visually or with the help of x-rays or lasers. We first remove the decayed material by a drill and prepare for your filling by creating a microscopic etching that creates a surface area for permanent sticking of fillings. The way your cavity is filled is dependent on the location of the tooth, be it the biting surface or front of the tooth.