In addition to patient’s dental care by proper brushing and flossing, dentists can help young patients prevent cavities by

1. Pit and fissure sealant

• Very effective in protecting the biting surfaces of teeth.
• Biting surfaces (occlusal surfaces) have deep and narrow pits and fissures that easily trap plaque and are difficult to clean.
• Sealant is resin material (plastic) with colors, tooth color, or no color. It prevents plaque attachment in the pits and fissures.

2. Fluoride application

• Effective in protecting the smooth surfaces of teeth.
• Modes of applications are fluoridated toothpaste, fluoridated mouthwash, fluoride tablets, and bi-annual high concentration topical fluoride application by a dentist.
  
  

There are several kinds of material used in dental fillings depending on the size and location of a cavity.

Tooth colored dental material
1. Resin
A cavity restores with resin has matched tooth-color and shine similar to a natural tooth. Another advantage is that the cavity cutting procedure is conservative because resin has chemical retention with tooth. Extending outline of tooth cutting to gain mechanical retention, therefore, is not necessary. Resin, however, is very sensitive to moisture during restoration, so moisture control is crucial during the procedure.

2. Glass Ionomer (GI)
Glass Ionomer has fluoride in its components, thus giving further caries prevention.

3. Compomer
Compomer is a hybrid material between resin and glass ionomer.

Amalgam
Amalgam has been used in dental fillings for more than 50 years. While its silver-color is not naturally beautiful for a tooth, amalagm is strong and durable for posterior tooth restorations or for fillings near the gum-line where moisture control is difficult.