Fillings are a restorative dental procedure used to treat tooth decay and repair cracked or broken teeth as well as prevent further damage. According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 91 percent of adults have experienced tooth decay.1  Many people have had a filling by the time they enter adulthood and are likely to continue to need or replace fillings throughout their lifetime. If you need a filling, there are many factors you should consider and discuss with your dentist. Types of Fillings When you receive a filling, the dentist first numbs the tooth and surrounding area before he or she removes the decayed part of the tooth.  The dentist then fills the cavity with either an amalgam filling or a composite filling. An amalgam filling is silver in color and made from a combination of different metals including silver, mercury, tin and copper.  Although amalgam contains mercury, […]