Popular Dental Filling Options

A dental filling is a popular way to restore damaged teeth.

The very first dental fillings consisted of dental amalgam, which is a mix of a number of metals. These days, there is more variety when it comes to the materials used to make a dental filling.

Commonly used dental filling options

1. Silver fillings

Silver fillings actually consist of several metals, namely zinc, copper, tin or silver. The lab adds mercury to these metals to give silver fillings their putty-like consistency.

The resulting mixture is dental amalgam that fills the cavity in a tooth. Silver fillings have been in use for about 150 years. They are affordable, strong and very durable, which makes them a good option.

However, they do have some drawbacks:

• People with a metal allergy should not use silver fillings
• Some people are wary of the mercury that is present in this type of dental filling even though there is not enough to cause health issues
• The color of silver fillings makes them a bad choice for front teeth

2. Gold fillings

Gold fillings are durable and rarely react with living tissue.

Before placing the filling, a dentist will prepare the tooth by removing dead tissue and cleaning the inside of the tooth. They will then make an impression of the tooth. The dentist sends the mold to a dental lab, which then creates the gold filling.

The dentist will cover the tooth and send the patient home to wait for the filling. When the filling is ready, the patient will return to the dentist’s office to have the filling placed in the tooth.

3. Porcelain fillings

These are ceramic, tooth-colored fillings that blend in well. Dentists often use them indirect fillings, much like gold fillings. This means that porcelain fillings must be fabricated based on an impression of a patient’s tooth.

Placing a porcelain filling usually takes two procedures. During the first procedure, the dentist removes decay from the tooth and takes an impression of the prepared tooth. After the porcelain filling is fabricated, the dentist restores the tooth in a second procedure.

Porcelain fillings are a good option for people who want fillings that blend with the rest of their teeth. They are also ideal for patients who are allergic to metals.

One drawback of porcelain is that it is not as sturdy or durable as gold or silver fillings. They are also more expensive than silver fillings.

4. Composite fillings

These are fillings that are made from a putty-like mixture of acrylic dental resin and powdered glass. Like dental amalgam, composite fillings go into the teeth. An advantage of this type of filling is that it is made to match the shade of a patient’s teeth.

However, it is not as tough or as durable as porcelain or metal fillings. For this reason, it is only suitable for the front teeth. When used on molars, composite fillings wear out pretty fast.

Which one would you choose?

A dentist will help you choose the right type of filling based on your preferences as well as your dental and medical history. If you need a dental filling, get in touch with one of our dentists and have your tooth repaired soon.

Are you considering dental fillings in the Lilburn area? Get more information at https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com.