What type of dental restoration is often used for repairing or replacing a damaged tooth?

Filling is a common type of dental restoration used to repair or replace a damaged tooth. When a tooth has decayed or been damaged due to trauma, a filling can restore its function and integrity. The procedure involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling it with a material such as composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain, thus preventing further decay and restoring the tooth's normal shape and function.

In contrast, extraction refers to the removal of a tooth rather than repairing it; scaling is a cleaning procedure aimed at removing plaque and tartar from teeth and is not a restorative technique; while a root canal involves treating an infected tooth by removing the pulp and sealing it, it does not apply directly to restoring the external surface of the tooth like a filling does. Therefore, filling is the most appropriate option for repairing or replacing a damaged tooth.