Filling is a procedure to restore teeth damaged by decay back to their normal shape and function. After removing decayed portions and cleaning the affected areas, the cleaned cavity is filled with a filling material. Once filled, further decays are prevented as bacteria can no longer enter the sealed areas. Different materials are used for filling, these include: gold, silver, porcelain, and composite materials. The choice of the filling material is determined by many factors that include: nature and extent of the repair, allergies, and cost to mention a few. Your dentist will help you decide on the best course of choice.