Dental fillings, also known as restorations, are a way to repair teeth that have been damaged. Typically, the damage comes as the result of dental caries, or cavities, but can also be caused by trauma to the tooth, such as a fall. If a tooth is about to receive a crown or other type of restoration, a filling might be done in preparation. The procedure begins with preparing the tooth, which could involve removing decay or areas of the tooth. When this is done, the restorative material can be placed. This can be from a number of materials, including an amalgam, a dental composite, porcelain or gold.