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Types of Dental Fillings: Composite, GIC, Amalgam, and Inlays/Onlays
Unsure which dental filling to choose? Learn about composite, glass ionomer, amalgam, and inlay/onlay fillings, when a filling is enough, the procedure, and how to make it last.
Bali Dentica
10/20/20265 min read
A Complete Guide to Types of Dental Fillings: Composite, Glass Ionomer, Amalgam, and Inlays/Onlays
Almost everyone has had one, or will: a cavity. Once your dentist recommends a filling, a new question comes up: which kind? Some are tooth-colored, some are silver, and some are custom-made in a laboratory. Each has its own advantages, limitations, and suitability.
In this article, we'll go through the types of dental fillings in full: how cavities form, when a filling is enough and when you need something larger, what the procedure involves, what's normal to feel afterward, and why a filling can run into problems.
How Does a Cavity Form?
A cavity (dental caries) forms when bacteria in plaque turn sugars from food and drink into acid. This acid gradually dissolves the outer layer of the tooth (enamel), then continues into the layer beneath (dentin) if left untreated. Because the process is gradual and often painless at first, many cavities are only found once they're fairly deep.
Early stage: white or chalky spots on the tooth surface, not necessarily a cavity yet, and still manageable
Advanced stage: a hole forms in the enamel, which can look like a brown or black spot
Deep stage: damage reaches the dentin, and the tooth starts to feel sensitive to sweets, heat, or cold
Very deep stage: damage approaches or reaches the nerve, and pain can be throbbing and spontaneous
The earlier a cavity is found, the smaller the filling and the more natural tooth structure can be preserved. That's the main reason routine check-ups matter, even when your teeth don't hurt.
Types of Dental Fillings
1. Composite (Resin) Fillings
Made of tooth-colored resin that's bonded directly to the tooth and hardened with a special light. The shade can be matched to the surrounding teeth.
Advantages: natural appearance, usable on both front and back teeth, and generally doesn't require removing too much healthy tooth
Considerations: results depend on technique and keeping the area dry during placement; the edges can discolor over time
2. Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC)
A tooth-colored material that bonds chemically to the tooth and releases a small amount of fluoride.
Advantages: often chosen for children's teeth, cavities near the gumline or on root surfaces, and as a longer-lasting temporary filling
Considerations: generally less resistant to heavy chewing pressure and wear than composite on back teeth
3. Amalgam Fillings
A metal alloy that's been used for a very long time on back teeth, known for withstanding chewing pressure.
Advantages: durable under pressure and relatively tolerant of moisture during placement
Considerations: its silver color is less aesthetic, and its use is being reduced in many countries, largely for environmental reasons. Major health bodies consider amalgam generally safe for most people, but the choice of material should still be discussed with your dentist based on your situation.
4. Inlays and Onlays (Ceramic or Lab-Made Composite)
Restorations made outside the mouth, usually in a laboratory from an impression or scan of your tooth, then bonded onto the tooth. An inlay fills the inside of the biting surface, while an onlay covers part or all of the tooth's cusps.
Advantages: fits the tooth's shape closely, strong, and suited to moderate to large damage that's too big for a regular filling but doesn't yet need a full crown
Considerations: usually requires two or more visits and greater precision
5. Temporary Fillings
Used to seal a tooth in the short term, for example while waiting for further treatment or a lab-made restoration. The material isn't designed to last, so follow-up visits shouldn't be postponed.
Quick Comparison
When Is a Filling Enough, and When Is Something Larger Needed?
Steps in a Dental Filling Procedure (Composite)
Examination and, if needed, an X-ray to see the depth and extent of the cavity.
Local anesthesia around the tooth when needed to keep the procedure comfortable.
Removing the damaged part of the tooth with special instruments while preserving as much healthy structure as possible.
Preparing the tooth surface and applying a bonding agent so the filling adheres firmly.
Building up the composite in layers, each hardened with a special light.
Shaping and polishing the filling so the tooth's contour and bite feel right.
Checking your bite and giving aftercare instructions.
What's Normal to Feel After a Filling
The tooth feels slightly sensitive to heat or cold for a few days, especially with a fairly deep cavity
Lips and cheeks feel numb until the anesthesia wears off; avoid eating until sensation returns so you don't bite them
The tooth feels slightly different when biting because of the new adjustment
⚠️ Go back to your dentist if after a filling:
Your bite feels too high or something is in the way, so that tooth touches first
Throbbing pain or sensitivity doesn't improve after a few days
The filling feels rough or sharp, or part of it has come off
Swelling appears in the gum around that tooth
How Long Can a Filling Last?
There's no single number that applies to everyone. A filling's lifespan can range from several years to much longer, depending on the material, size and location of the filling, quality of placement, oral hygiene, diet, and habits such as grinding teeth or biting hard objects. Regular check-ups help your dentist assess the edges of fillings and catch problems before they grow.
Why Can a Filling Run Into Problems?
Secondary caries: the tooth at the edge of the filling decays again because plaque builds up there.
The filling cracks or wears down from excessive chewing force or a teeth-grinding habit.
The filling comes loose because the bond weakens or decay beneath it progresses.
The tooth fractures around the filling, especially in teeth that have already lost a lot of structure.
Infection of the tooth's nerve that appears some time later, particularly when the original cavity was already deep.
How to Keep Your Fillings and Teeth Healthy
Brush twice a day with proper technique, including the edges of fillings and along the gumline.
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes.
Reduce how often you snack on or sip sugary things, since how frequently teeth are exposed to sugar matters most.
Avoid biting hard objects like ice or nails, and don't open packaging with your teeth.
If you grind your teeth in your sleep, talk to your dentist about a night guard.
Keep up routine check-ups and scaling as advised so new problems are caught early.
Myths vs. Facts About Dental Fillings
Questions to Ask Your Dentist
Which type of filling is the best fit for my tooth, and why?
Is a filling enough for this cavity, or might I need other treatment?
How many visits will it take?
What should I watch for afterward, and when should I come back for a check?
What can I do to keep new cavities from forming?
Check-Ups and Fillings at Bali Dentica
A cavity is easiest and simplest to treat while it's still small. At Bali Dentica, our dentists will examine your teeth thoroughly, explain the filling options that suit your case, and be upfront when a particular condition calls for more extensive treatment or care from a dental specialist. If you're visiting Bali and have a sore or sensitive tooth, it's worth getting it looked at early rather than waiting until it becomes painful.
📍 Bali Dentica
Jl. Sedap Malam No 88A, Kesiman, East Denpasar, Bali
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