Different Types Of Dental Fillings

Most cavities are filled by one of the two most common types of fillings; teeth colored fillings or silver amalgam are widely used. These are used to fill an opening in the tooth where a dentist has drilled out cavities in the enamel. Among all dental restorative material, amalgam is the most commonly used. This was first introduced in France in the 19th century where a small amount of mercury is mixed with at least one kind of metal, most commonly silver. There are several reasons why this type of filling is the most common.
1.The cost is low.
2.The fillings are easy to apply.
3.The material is strong and lasts for a long period of time upon application.
4.This type of filling has a bacteriostatic effect.
For quite some time during the early days of dentistry, fillings became a negative issue because of the mercury content that might cause harmful effects on ones health. At some points there was even a discussion of considering the complete removal of the decayed tooth as a better option than restoration. Many believed though that it is still better to remove decayed areas of the teeth and use dental fillings, since it preserves the use of the tooth and reduces the risk of infection. Current methods of amalgam filling use a very small amount of mercury that is bound into the silver in a way that prevents them from causing harm.
Although amalgam and tooth colored resin fillings are the most common, there are several other types including cast gold, ceramics and glass ionomer. Amalgam is usually used to fill back teeth and can last longer than 7 years. This material is made of mercury, silver, tin, zinc and copper. This type of filling can be applied quickly and is also very durable. The disadvantage of this type of filling is that it will not match the color of the rest of your teeth. This is why it is most commonly used to fill teeth in the back of the mouth where it will not be visible.
Composite resin is mostly used to repair the front teeth or parts of the teeth that are easily seen. This type of filling may last for five years. This is made by mixed plastic and fine glass particles. The advantages of this over amalgam are it matches the color of the teeth and that less of the tooth needs to be removed. The disadvantage of this type of filling is that it costs considerably more than amalgam fillings. It also takes much longer to be placed. However, most people choose a composite resin for the matching effect.
Cast gold is gold mixed with other materials. This is a very expensive type of filling, up to 6 to 10 times more than the cost of amalgam. But it lasts for more than 15 years and doesnt corrode. One disadvantage of this type of filling is the risk of a discomfort that you may feel called galvanic shock. This is the result of the interaction of saliva and the metals used in the filling.
Ceramic fillings are made mostly of porcelain. This costs more than gold and lasts for seven years. Though it is identical to the color of your tooth, this type easily breaks and also involves more drilling which reduces the size of the original tooth.
Glass ionomer is used for baby teeth, teeth that have a lot of decay and as cement for inlay fillings. This lasts for more than 5 years. The cost is similar to composite resin. This type of filling has an advantage over other types because it releases fluoride which helps protect your teeth from further damage caused by decay. But glass ionomer fillings take longer to apply since they need to be placed in thin layers. This type of filling also does not have the ability to accurately match the color of the tooth.
These different types of fillings each have their own advantages and disadvantages and are useful in different situations. It is a good idea to talk to your NC dentist to see which type of filling is best for you in any given situation. It is important to have any cavities filled as soon as possible to prevent further decay. Once a tooth has decayed too far, it will no longer be strong enough to support a filling and will need a crown. Crowns for teeth are very expensive, so it is important to try to prevent the need for one. If you do need one, make sure to have it done by the right dentist. North Carolina has many qualified dentists so shop around before making an appointment.