A filling is a material that is used to fill a hole or a chip in a tooth. Holes in teeth are often caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay begins when bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth surface, causing a small hole in the tooth, called a cavity. If the cavity is not treated and filled, it will progress deeper and larger, and lead to more serious consequences like pain, infection and even tooth loss.

Fillings can also be used to mend chips or fractures in teeth caused by trauma. Traditionally, dental professionals use Amalgam (metal) material for fillings. Now, we do have tooth-coloured materials in different shades to match the colour of natural teeth better.