What materials are used for dental fillings?

Commonly used materials for dental fillings include silver amalgam, composite resin, and glass ionomer cement. Silver amalgam is highly wear-resistant and has a long service life, but its color differs significantly from natural teeth, affecting aesthetics, and it has relatively poor biocompatibility with teeth. Composite resin is currently the most widely used dental filling material; its color closely resembles natural tooth color, offering good aesthetic results and satisfactory wear resistance, especially suitable for anterior tooth restoration. Glass ionomer cement causes minimal irritation to the dental pulp, provides good retention after placement, and can release fluoride to prevent caries, making it commonly used for restoring deciduous teeth in children or teeth with small carious lesions. When selecting a dental filling material, a comprehensive decision should be made based on the specific condition of the tooth, the patient's needs, and the dentist's recommendations.