Some dental problems can be severe, and others may be mild. Regardless of severity, the need for a dental fill sometimes arises. This development shifts attention to choosing a suitable material for dental fillings.
Dental filling needs vary from patient to patient. These needs could range from aesthetic to health implications to deformation correction. As such, dental filling materials also differ.
You’re currently reading the right article if you plan to have dental fillings soon. Here, we’ll primarily take you through the major dental filling materials.
Alongside, we’ll highlight their pros and cons. And in addition, we’ll answer some questions you likely have in mind.
So, relax and read through carefully.
Types of Materials for Dental Fillings
Dental fillings have been in existence for a long time. For example, the earliest form of dental filling material is as old as 6500 years.
The above ancient filling was a product of beeswax. But nowadays, beeswax is no longer in use as dental fillings.
There are other old dental fillings that contemporary dentists find in the dentures of some patients. Such include amalgam, a mix of different metals that include mercury. This dental filling is about 100 years old.
Importantly, there’s been a drastic reduction in the use of mercury in dental fillings like amalgam. This development was a result of finding mercury toxic to health.
Nevertheless, some patients and dentists still have reservations regarding the tiny amount of mercury in peculiar amalgam fillings.
Modern dental fillings consist of different materials. You’ll find composite fillings, porcelain, and more. In subsequent parts of this article, you’ll learn more about them.
1. Silver Amalgam Fillings
Silver amalgam fillings are a mix of tin, zinc, silver, copper, and mercury. This material for dental filling is not only strong. Its durability and affordability are worth the mention.
You have a guarantee of over 12 years if you use silver amalgam fillings. In addition, you’ll love the look of a silver glint in your denture if you’re a fan of abstract fashion.
Pros of Silver Amalgam Fillings:
- The durability of this silver filling is top-notch. It promises up to 15 years of composure. And that’s longer than what its peers can provide you.
- The strength of this material for tooth filling is also commendable. You can chew almost anything and not worry about the filling falling off or cracking.
- This dental filling is also quite affordable compared to some other fillers.
Cons of Silver Amalgam Fillings:
- For many patients, silver amalgam is poor when it comes to aesthetics. Its colour is way different from normal teeth. So you may find it awkward if you’re not a fan of abstract fashion.
- Unfortunately, silver amalgam fillings require the destruction of healthy parts of a tooth structure to accommodate it perfectly. Usually, the tooth space needs to be wide enough to make the amalgam-filling cement well.
- Somehow, silver amalgam fillings can cause discolouration to your existing tooth. Usually, it creates a shade of gray around the tooth structure it fills.
- Silver amalgam fillings are also susceptible to fractures and cracks. Teeth contractions and expansions are normal in the presence of cold or hot liquids. These reactions can cause some fillings to crack or bend.
Comparison with other materials for dental filling shows silver amalgam is liable to a higher degree of contraction and expansion. Therefore, the tendency for fractures and cracks is also very high.
- Silver amalgam fillings usually have a tiny portion of mercury. Therefore the toxicity shouldn’t be noticeable. But some patients may react terribly to it.
2. Composite Fillings
Composite is one of the best materials for dental fillings. Composite fillings consist of resin. As such, they’re fillings that can match the colour of your existing teeth.
This material for dental fillings can last up to 5 years, and they don’t require you to frequently visit the dentist.
Pros of Composite Fillings:
- Composite fillings are topnotch when it comes to aesthetics. One of its aesthetic perks is matching the colour of your existing teeth so perfectly. In addition, composite fillings are best for visible teeth parts.
- Composite filling bonds super well with existing tooth structure. The micro-mechanical bonding attaches the composite filling to your existing tooth frame to provide it with more support.
- Another edge of composite as dental filling material is versatility. You may not only use it to fill a decaying tooth. It can also function perfectly to repair worn, broken, or chipped teeth.
- Unlike silver amalgam, very little or no tooth structure needs removal to accommodate composite fillings. Most times, only decaying parts of a tooth may require extraction when preparing for a composite filling. Therefore, the absence of decay in your tooth may signify you don’t have to lose a bit of your existing tooth structure before filling.
Cons of Composite Fillings:
- Unlike silver amalgam filling, a composite filling is deficient in durability. It has the potential to wear out pretty fast. The best you may get with composite fillings is five years.
- Also, unlike other types of tooth fillings, composite doesn’t possess the strength to withstand intense biting or chewing pressure. As a result, it can crack on the first day of filling if subject to chewing or biting something too hard.
- You may spend more time in the dentist’s theatre due to the delicate process of applying a composite filling. Fillings like silver amalgam take less than 10 minutes. But composite could see you spend up to 30 minutes in the dentist’s chair.
- You may not have to visit the dentist if it’s a regular filling. But you may need to visit more frequently if you use the composite fillings for inlays or onlays.
- You may be in constant worry if you experience teeth grinding during sleep. This worry is because you may wake up to find the composite filling chipped off, especially if the filling was for a front tooth.
- Usually, composite fillings are more expensive than fillings like silver amalgam.
Related Article: How Long Before You Can Eat After a Filling?
3. Gold Fillings
Gold dental fillings are gold-centred elements for plugging and sealing a tooth hole. Notably, most gold dental fillings are a blend of gold composite and other metals. And it’s one of the best materials for dental fillings.
It’s important to note that the act of using pure gold as a material for dental fillings is direct gold filling. But this procedure can be good and also have adverse effects too.
Furthermore, gold is a sort of soft, flexible metal. As a result, using gold alone for dental fillings is not advisable. Therefore, many other metals like palladium, zinc, and platinum are additions to gold fillings to strengthen the gold material for dental fillings.
The above blend ensures that the gold filling becomes very strong. In addition, the filling also maintains its gold colour, which is like a fashion perk.
But sometimes, some patients actually want pure gold fillings. In situations like this, the application of the gold filling is usually in teeth areas with less pressure. Such sites include the canines and premolar areas.
Usually, gold dental fillings can fit perfectly into a shape in a tooth. For example, a tooth with a hole or cavity can easily face the dentist’s drill and get a fill of gold composition. And the filling makes your teeth feel complete again.
Pros of Gold Fillings:
- Like its silver counterpart, gold fillings last as long as 15 years. It could last even longer. So there’s almost zero possibility of deterioration.
- The strength of gold fillings means there’s no biting or chewing it can’t withstand.
- Unlike silver amalgam fillings, you’re likely to love the sparkle of gold filling in your teeth. In fact, many celebrities use it.
Cons of Gold Fillings:
- Unlike the other common materials for dental fillings, a gold dental filling is very expensive. In comparison with silver amalgam, it’s ten times costlier.
- You’ll need to visit the dentist more than once for gold-filling placement. This dental filling treatment requires time and finesse.
- You’re likely to experience sharp pain if you peradventure place gold and silver amalgam fillings next to each other. This intense pain is also known as galvanic shock.
This shock is not a natural reaction between silver and gold. However the interference of saliva between the two types of tooth fillings inevitably causes an electric current. Again, however, this reaction is something rare.
- As much as it may look fancy, several people still prefer to have their natural teeth colour.
4. Ceramic fillings
This filling has one of the finest names of materials for dental fillings.
More seriously, a ceramic filling is not only attractive. But it’s also quite durable. Additionally, ceramic fillers are a popular choice.
Ceramic dental fillings materials consist of porcelain and can easily match natural teeth. In addition, ceramic fillings maintain their colour with outstanding resistance to stains and abrasion.
Pros of Ceramic Fillings
- Stain-resistant
- Durable
- It looks and feels natural
Cons of Ceramic Fillings
- In comparison with fillings like composite, it’s not as strong. Therefore, it’s more likely to break or crack.
- Your tooth size may need reduction during filling to avoid breaking.
- You may not feel okay with it psychologically at some point.
5. Glass Ionomer Fillings
Glass ionomer is another excellent material for dental fillings.
Dentists prescribe glass ionomer for short-term fillings, decays around gum lines, and baby teeth fillings. Also, glass ionomer fillings work well as an adhesive in orthodontic practice.
Basically, glass ionomer is a malleable paste. Its cement is a composition of materials including silicate glass powder.
The above powder bonds directly with the tooth surface. And it’s perfect for the formation of a tight seal between the tooth interior and surrounding structure.
In other words, glass ionomer comfortably acts as a sealant and tooth protector.
Pros of Glass Ionomer Fillings
- The colour is natural.
- Bonds directly to the tooth. This action reduces decay risks.
- It releases fluoride.
Cons of Glass Ionomer Fillings
- It can’t boast the strength of fillings like composite resin.
- It has a longer procedure, unlike other filling material options.
Steps Involved in Tooth Filling
You may want to know how tooth filling works before making your final decision. Here’s a concise view of the procedures of tooth filling.
- To start with, your dentist will likely apply a local anesthetic to the area of your tooth for filling. This anesthesia will numb that area for the period of the filling procedure.
- Afterwards, there’ll be removing decaying or uneven parts of the tooth. This removal will be done using an air abrasion instrument, a drill, or a laser.
- Next, your dentist will examine the area to ensure all decay is off. Then they’ll proceed with preparing the tooth space for filling. This preparation is done by sanitising the cavity of filth or bacteria.
- Usually, your dentist will polish the filling after it’s been put in place.
Ultimately, do the following to reduce the risk of dental cavities:
- Brush twice daily using fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Visit your dentist frequently.
FAQs About Tooth Filling
Below are compilations of some questions we get frequently alongside our answers to them.
What makes a tooth feel sensitive after a dental filling?
It’s common and normal to experience tooth sensitivity after your tooth filling procedure. The sensitivity may be a result of air, temperature, and pressure. However, all things being equal, the sensitivity should dissipate in just some weeks.
But, ensure you reach out to your dentist if the sensitivity persists beyond four weeks. Or if your tooth feels unbearably sensitive during the waiting period.
Why does it feel painful around my dental filling?
Many reasons may contribute to why you may be feeling pain around your dental filling area.
They include:
- Pain as a result of biting too hard.
- Pain when your teeth touch.
- Toothache-type pain
- Referred pain
Contact your dentist when you feel such pains.
Is it possible that a dental filling material needs replacement?
Yes, there are reasons you may need to change your dental fillings.
These reasons include:
- Eventual wear and tear
- Filling falls off, and decay starts
- Filling or decay is too large
Related Article: How Long Should a Tooth Hurt After a Filling?
Final Thoughts
Each material for dental fillings has its uniqueness, advantages, and disadvantages. Furthermore, some of the variables that may influence your choice of filling material include durability, end appearance, and cost.
These factors mean you and your dentist will need to work closely to determine which is best for you. Fortunately, our dental office in Ontario can meet all your tooth filling needs.
Here at Osmine Denture, we have the best dentists, dental filling materials, and equipment in a conducive facility. So you’re up for a comfortable and comprehensive experience when you visit us for your dental filling needs.