1. COMPOSITE FILLING

IT IS A PLASTIC MIXTURE WITH SILICON DIOXIDE PARTICLES IN IT. THEY ARE DEFINED AS WHITE FILLINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE COLOR OF THE TOOTH. IN THE 1960s, THEY WERE USED ONLY ON FRONT TEETH, BUT WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MATERIAL, THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED TO BACK TEETH AS A FILLING MATERIAL THAT IS RESISTANT TO CHEWING PRESSURE AND WEARS LESS.

Composite fillings are placed layer by layer in prepared cavities and each layer is hardened with a special light. Once this process is complete, composite fillings are shaped and corrected according to the tooth. All these processes take longer than amalgam fillings. Recently, the duration and durability of composite fillings in the mouth are close to the life of amalgam.

The biggest advantage of composite fillings is their aesthetics. In addition, since these fillings are well bonded to the teeth, they support the dental tissues, prevent breakage and heat transfer.  Composites can be used not only to restore cavities, but also for cosmetic effects by changing the color and shape of the teeth. The most important disadvantage is the sensitivity after the procedure. The colors of the fillings can also change slightly with coloring foods such as coffee and tea.  

How is it applied?
Polishing can also be done in the same session in composites. However, in very large restorations or serial restorations made for many teeth, it would be much better in terms of both aesthetics and function to call the patient for a check-up once more and make the necessary corrections, if any.
Very large losses in the front teeth can be restored with these materials, so it should be explained to patients that being careful when biting will extend the life of these restorations. It should be reminded again that especially after applications made on the front face, foods and drinks that can color the fillings can change the colors of the fillings, no matter how well polished they are. In teeth restored due to wear, it is important to recommend toothbrushes that are not too hard to the patient and to ensure that they can make corrections in their brushing methods.

2. AMALGAM FILLINGS

Amalgam fillings are also defined as silver fillings. 
Amalgam is obtained by mixing silver, tin and copper alloy with mercury. Mercury, which makes up 45-50% of the mixture, creates a durable filling material by bonding the metals together. Amalgam fillings, which have been developed and used for 150 years, have served to protect many teeth and keep them in the mouth. Amalgam is still the most harmless, longest-lasting and cheapest filling material. It is estimated that more than one billion amalgam fillings are made annually. They can be applied much more quickly and easily than other filling materials.  
 
How is it applied? 
 
Patients should be asked not to use the side where the application was made for at least one hour and to be careful not to chew hard things in that area for the following 24 hours. The patient should be given a second appointment for the polishing process after 24 hours. This application will both improve the metallic properties of the amalgam and provide the opportunity to review the restoration anatomically and functionally after use.  
There may be a short-term hot-cold sensitivity after amalgam fillings, which disappears over time. However, although rare, some people may experience sensitivity due to electricity when there are various metals in the mouth or when another metal such as a fork is inserted. In cases of persistent sensitivity, after making sure that the sensitivity is only due to this reason, replacing the restoration with a non-metallic restorative material may be the solution.

3.PORCELAIN FILLINGS

The process of completing the missing part of the tooth according to anatomical principles is called porcelain filling.
This filling method is generally used in cases where there is excessive tooth loss. The main purpose of this method, which is a conservative treatment, is to preserve the natural structure and appearance of the tooth. It is especially frequently applied to molars. The reason for this is that molars need to be more durable than other teeth because they are the teeth that chew food. The main purpose of porcelain fillings (inlays, onlays) is to prevent a tooth with a lot of material loss from breaking when restored with a normal filling (composite or amalgam).

A tooth that has suffered excessive material loss; this is usually after undergoing procedures such as root canal treatment or similar excessive decay cleaning,The walls of the tooth decrease and more importantly, become thinner. Large composite or amalgam fillings that impose shrinkage stress on these weakened walls while hardening or that cannot provide the same level of flexural resistance cannot provide sufficient support.  Porcelain fillings (inlays, onlays) are made by placing a filling material prepared according to the cavity after the measurement of the tooth cavity is taken, so this passive adaptation does not create stress for the walls of the tooth.

How is it applied?

Porcelain fillings, which are generally preferred when there is too much tooth loss, are an easy application for the patient. First, a suitable cavity is prepared in the tooth or the existing cavity is made into a condition where the porcelain filling (inlay, onlay) can passively fit. Then, the measurements of the prepared cavities are sent to the laboratory.
The missing part is prepared using a material that is usually porcelain and is suitable for the structure and dimensions of the patient's tooth. This filling material, which is then applied to the patient's tooth, is as durable as tooth enamel.

4. DENTAL CARIES, DENTAL FILLINGS

Those who have a high rate of acidic and sugary foods in their diet and a very low rate of fluoride in their water are at much greater risk of cavities. Although saliva forms a natural defense mechanism against the acid created by bacterial plaque, it cannot prevent cavities on its own. Diseases or medications that reduce the flow and amount of saliva also accelerate the formation of cavities. For this reason, dentists often recommend sugar-free gums because they increase saliva flow.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Tooth Decay? 

The most effective way is to brush your teeth after breakfast and before going to bed at night, and to use dental floss regularly. Since food residue accumulates most in the recesses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth and in the interfaces where the teeth touch each other, toothbrushes should be chosen with small heads. The inner surfaces, outer surfaces, chewing surfaces and the top of the tongue of the teeth should be brushed, and dental floss should be used on the interfaces. Brushes should have moderately hard or soft bristles and should be changed at certain intervals. The bristles of the brush should not be worn and should be stored in a way that will not carry bacteria. Fluoride mouthwashes can also be used to help brush your teeth, which also eliminate bad breath and provide an antiseptic effect, freshness and a sense of cleanliness.
Another precaution is to try to consume sugary and acidic foods in main meals and not to eat anything between meals. Today, tooth decay is more common than in the past. For example, according to studies, while the rate of decay in ancient people's teeth did not exceed 5%, today this rate can be as high as 95%.
The reason for this is the change in eating habits. Since ancient people ate hard and natural foods, teeth were cleaned naturally. Today, with the development of the ready-made food industry, the consumption of such foods has also increased. These food items that are always at hand such as biscuits, sugar, chocolate, cola are considered to be the main culprits of the increase in tooth decay today because they are substances that stick to the teeth and remain on them and create acid.  

Applying to the dentist at regular intervals is the best way to prevent a cavity or catch it early. In addition, in cases such as teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold, painful teeth, or initial caries that are chalky in color, brown discolorations and cavities, applying to the dentist without delay will change the form of treatment and reduce its difficulty.
Tooth Decay, Tooth Filling
Another method that should be done to prevent tooth decay is the strengthening of the tooth structures. The most effective substance used to strengthen the tooth structure is “fluoride” compounds. When fluoride compounds are applied during the period when the teeth are developing or after the teeth are seen in the mouth, they enter the structure of the tooth and provide a more resistant structure against decay. The caries preventing effect of fluoride compounds is achieved in four main ways;

* By adding a certain amount of fluoride compounds to drinking water, 
* By giving the child fluoride tablets sold ready-made in the market, 
* By taking advantage of the effect of fluoride compounds added to table salt, toothpaste or mouthwashes, 
* By applying special fluoride compounds in gel form to the teeth in the dentist's office.

The easiest method to apply among these applications is to brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste morning and evening starting from the age of 3 and to use a fluoride mouthwash after the age of 6. Other applications are not widely used in our country yet and do not have a sufficient infrastructure. For example, the fluoride content of drinking water in most of our regions isThere is no clear standard study on the amount of fluoride taken with meat. Fluoride is a necessary element for the body. However, if taken in excess, it can change the color of the teeth or cause deformations in the bones. For this reason, applications other than toothpaste and mouthwash should definitely be done under the supervision of a physician.