Being told you need a filling isn’t exactly at the top of anyone’s favorite list. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can cause you to need a filling. Avoiding the filling is only going to end up making matters worse. You are better off getting into the dentist and getting it taken care of as quickly as possible to prevent additional decay. There are a number of different types of fillings out there from which you can choose. Each one has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Check out some of these common ones below to help you make an informed decision.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are made out of mercury, zinc, copper, tin and silver. Mercury makes up almost half of the mixture. These fillings tend to last for about 10 years, if not longer. They are often used for the back teeth and tend to be the most cost-effective of all options available. While these fillings are quite strong, they can end up tarnishing or corroding over the course of time. This can cause your teeth to become discolored where the filling and the teeth meet. They aren’t as sensitive to moisture when getting filled. However, the dentist often has to take more of your tooth out in an attempt to get the filling to stay securely in place.
Composite Resin Fillings
A composite resin filling is a mixture of glass and plastic particles. This type of filling is often used for both small and large cavities, especially in the front parts of your teeth. They tend to last around five years and will cost you a little more out of pocket than amalgam fillings do. With these fillings, they are the same color as that of your natural tooth. They can be bonded directly to the tooth making the teeth stronger. There isn’t as much drilling involved. Because they are heat-cured, they are stronger than amalgam fillings. These fillings do take a little more time to complete because the dentist often has to put them in using multiple layers. There is a chance that the composite will end up shrinking when put in place causing gaps to form between the filling and the tooth. This can cause cavities to form where the filling isn’t making contact with your tooth.
Cast Gold Fillings
Cast gold fillings are made out of gold alloy. They are used for crowns, inlays and onlays. They tend to last around 15 years, if not longer. These fillings do cost more than many of the other materials out there, roughly 6-10 times more than an amalgam filling. You don’t have to worry about them corroding and they can easily withstand chewing forces. If you have a gold filling next to an amalgam filling, it can cause galvanic shock from the metals and your saliva. It does take two visits to have one filling put in place and the cost is a little more than other fillings out there.
Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings are made almost entirely out of porcelain. They are used for crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, implants and orthodontic brackets. They are said to last for upwards of seven years. These fillings match your natural teeth and are more resistant to staining than composite fillings. They are more brittle than composite resin and could end up breaking on you, which is why the dentist needs to make sure the onlay or inlay is large enough to minimize breakage. To accomplish this, the tooth has to be shrunk in size to make room for all the added bulk.
Take some time to go over the different options with us to make an informed decision about which filling is the right one for your particular needs.