Types of Dental Fillings & Their Benefits

When you have a tooth cavity, your dentist will remove the cavity, leaving gaps in your tooth. Thanks to dental fillings, you don’t have to live your life with these gaps in your teeth. In addition, fillings are used to repair broken teeth and teeth that have worn down due to tooth grinding or nail-biting.

There are different types of dental fillings that dentists can use, and this article will take you down through the various materials used to make dental fillings and their benefits.

Types of Dental Fillings

Below are the common types of dental fillings:

Silver Amalgam Fillings

The most common type of fillings is silver amalgam fillings. Silver amalgam fillings are made of tin, zinc, copper, and silver, which is fifty percent, whereas the remaining fifty percent is mercury.

Composite Fillings

Another type of dental fillings is composite. They are made from resin and plastic placed into the cavity. A composite filling is placed into the cavity while soft then hardened by ultraviolet light. If you want fillings that match the color of your teeth, then composite fillings are suitable for you.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are the most suitable for children whose teeth are still growing. This is because they release fluoride that protects the tooth that was infected from further decay. However, it is important to note that glass and acrylic fillings do not match the shade of your child’s teeth.

Gold Fillings

From their name: gold fillings, these types of fillings are high priced. They are uncommon since they are made from a hard-to-find and expensive material: gold.

Let us look at some of the pros and cons of these fillings.

Pros of Silver Amalgam Fillings

• First, these fillings are durable. With good care of your oral hygiene, they can last for at least ten to fifteen years and are more durable than composite fillings.
• Strength is an added feature of silver amalgam fillings. If you are used to eating hard foods, silver amalgam fillings won’t break due to the chewing forces. The material used to make silver fillings can withstand such forces.
• Are you looking for an economical dental filling? Then silver amalgam will do for your budget. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment with Satsuma Family Dental, and we will fix the dental fillings you choose.

Cons of Silver Amalgam Fillings

• One major disadvantage of silver amalgam fillings is that they are noticeable. This is because they don’t match the color of your natural teeth. This means you might not feel so comfortable while laughing among your peers.
• In addition, your Satsuma dentist has to remove some healthy parts of your tooth for the filling to fit well. What this destruction cause is that when your teeth expand and contract due to taking hot and cold drinks, it leaves cracks and fractures in your tooth, which can cause tooth sensitivity.
• Some people have an allergic reaction to mercury. You should consult with your dentist about any health condition you have that can lead to complications after dental filling installation.

Pros of Composite Fillings

• Composite fillings match the color of your teeth. This means that your dentist can put dental fillings in your front teeth, and they will not be visible.
• Moreover, these fillings bond well with natural teeth. This adherence means the composite filling offers extra support to your tooth that was decayed.
• Composite fillings have multipurpose use. For example, other than filling a decayed part in your tooth, your dentist can use them to repair worn-out, broken, or chipped teeth.

Disadvantages of Composite Fillings

• You will need to visit a dentist near you for more than one visit before the fillings are fully applied. This is when the dentist is installing on lays or inlays in your teeth.
• Composite fillings are more expensive than amalgam fillings. In addition, you will have to stay for twenty minutes more than when the dentist is fixing amalgam fillings.

Pros of Gold Fillings

• Gold is durable, and therefore when the material is used to make dental fillings, you can have them for a minimum of ten years. Moreover, gold does not corrode easily and can withstand teeth grinding and chewing.

Cons of Gold Fillings

• You will have to visit your dentist for at least two visits to fix gold fillings fully.
• Some people prefer natural-looking dental fillings and, therefore, find gold fillings to be displeasing.

If you are looking for dental fillings in Satsuma, AL 36572, you can call or book an appointment with our Satsuma dentist at Satsuma Family Dental today!