Types of Dental Fillings Through History – From Ancient Remedies to Modern Solutions

Ancient Fillings (Prehistoric to Early Civilizations):

 -The oldest evidence of dental fillings dates back nearly 13,000 years, with bitumen (a tar-like substance) used to fill cavities.

- Around 6500 years ago, beeswax was used as a filling material, as seen in remains from Italy and the Indus Valley Civilization.

- Early civilizations also experimented with natural resins and tar, but these materials were not durable and often failed to prevent further decay.

 Classical and Medieval Eras:

 - By 200 AD, gold was being used for dental prosthetics and fillings, notably by the Ancient Etruscans.

- In China, as early as 700 AD, a “silver paste” (early amalgam) was referenced in medical texts.

- Other materials like cork, tin, and even asbestos were used sporadically, though with limited success.

Early Modern Period (1700s–1800s):

- The 1700s saw the introduction of tooth-colored options, with attempts to use enamel and porcelain fused to gold for better aesthetics.

- Gold, platinum, silver, tin, and lead were all used as filling materials in the early 1800s, with tin being a popular, affordable option.

- In the 1830s, the development of dental amalgam (a mix of mercury and metals like silver, tin, and copper) revolutionized fillings due to its ease of use and low cost, despite controversy over mercury content.

Modern Era (1900s–Present):

- Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, metal and amalgam fillings                 dominated, with porcelain and gold also used for their durability and aesthetics.

- The mid-20th century introduced composite resin fillings (plastic and glass mixtures), which could be color-matched to teeth and required less removal of healthy tooth structure.

- Ceramic (porcelain) fillings emerged, offering both strength and a natural appearance.

- Today, the most common filling materials are:

- Composite resins (tooth-colored, aesthetic, conservative)

- Dental amalgam (durable, cost-effective, still used but less popular due to mercury concerns)

- Gold (highly durable, expensive, less common)

- Ceramic/porcelain (aesthetic, durable, more costly).

B

R

A

I

N

S

H

A

R

P

E

N

E

R

Z

Z

T

A

I

M

E

Z

 1.What is the oldest known tooth filling material?

   - A) Gold

   - B) Beeswax

   - C) Amalgam

   - D) Porcelain  

   Answer:

2.Which civilization is credited with using gold for dental prosthetics as early as 200 AD?

   - A) Romans

   - B) Greeks

   - C) Etruscans

   - D) Egyptians  

   Answer.

3.When did amalgam fillings, containing mercury, become popular?

   - A) Ancient times

   - B) 1700s

   - C) 1800s

   - D) 1900s  

   Answer:

4.Which filling material is most commonly used today for its tooth-like appearance?

   - A) Amalgam

   - B) Gold

   - C) Composite resin

   - D) Tin  

   Answer.

5.Why did the use of gold fillings decline in recent years?

   - A) Health risks

   - B) High cost and labor-intensive process

   - C) Poor durability

   - D) Lack of availability  

   Answer:

6.Which material was mentioned in a Chinese medical text around 700 AD as a dental filling?

   - A) Beeswax

   - B) Silver paste (amalgam)

   - C) Porcelain

   - D) Resin  

   Answer: