What is a dental filling? and what are its benefits?

These questions might cross your mind. If you have a toothache because you eat a lot of sweets or have a tooth cavity, you want to fill these cracks to maintain your teeth and prevent further decay.

In this article, you’re going to know what is a dental filling, its types, materials, and all the information required for early tooth repair. from our dentists’ experience at Sunrise

What is a dental filling?

Dental filling is the common procedure to treat dental caries, complete the dental cracks, and fill the cavities, to prevent your teeth from falling off your dentist does this by adding a single or combination of materials such as metals, glass, gold, and plastics to repair your teeth.

What are dental fillings made of?

There are many types of dental fillings and choosing the convenient type for you depends on your teeth condition. and we will discuss them based on their advantages and disadvantages.

Amalgam fillings (silver fillings):

These fillings are the most used type of dental fillings and are made of mercury mixed with zinc, tin, copper, and silver.

These materials are used for safety and durability by World Dental Federation FDI, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Advantages:

Amalgam fillings are known for their long stability and longevity; they last for 10 to 15 years at least
They’re less expensive than tooth-coloured composite fillings.
They have great durability so they are less likely to get broken.

Disadvantages:

To make the filling stable in its location, the dentist has to make a bigger hole to be able to hold the fillings.
The amalgam fillings create a little gray color around the tooth because it consists of metals.
It’s not suitable for anyone with sensitivity or allergy to mercury or any other material in the amalgam fillings.

Cast gold fillings:

The cast gold fillings can be considered one of the best type of dental fillings because it’s strong with minimum side effects.

The advantages of the gold fillings:

It protects and supports the tooth’s enamel margins because the gold fillings are so easy to place in their location, and they protect the enamel margins from breakage.
They are permanent fillings, can withstand the eating pressure for a long time, and you may not need to replace them at all.
Gold fillings don’t absorb the mouth fluids, which doesn’t cause a bad smell.
Gold is one of the oldest materials used in dental fillings and crowns because it’s Esthetic; it doesn’t discolor the tooth, or change its original color and has a very clean look.

The disadvantages:

The gold fillings are the most expensive type of fillings because they require special types of materials, and preparations to allow a perfect fit in the cavity, however, it’s still affordable.
Gold isn’t tooth-colored; even if some people like the gold fillings because of their attractive color, some people don’t like to use them in the front teeth because of their color.

Tooth-colored Composites:

These fillings are made of plastic resins and powdered glass, this is one type of dental fillings famous for its natural appearance, and it’s easy to blend with tooth structure, That’s why it’s used to fill the cavities in the front teeth.

Advantages of the tooth-colored composites:

Composites’ natural appearance puts these fillings on the top 4 types of dental fillings, and they are well suited to fill the cavities in the front teeth.
Composites bond easily with the rest of the tooth structure, which means it’s stable, and offers a big support for the tooth.
It can be used to repair broken, chipped, or worn teeth.

Disadvantage of the tooth-colored composites:

Their longevity is shorter than other types of dental fillings, it lasts for 5 years, especially if they are used to fill large cavities.
It can take more than 20 minutes to apply the composite fillings, and you will need to visit your doctor more than one time to apply it.
The composite fillings can cost 2 times the price of the amalgam fillings.

Porcelain/Ceramics fillings:

They are custom-made cavities fillings; they are made in the lab before applying to the tooth, and made of ceramic polymer so they take the shape of the cavities.

Advantages of porcelain fillings:

They last for at least 15 years
It only takes 2 visits to the dentist to complete the whole process.
They don’t discolor the tooth, and this is especially good for people who drink coffee and tea a lot.
Porcelain doesn’t contain any toxic material so it doesn’t cause any allergic reaction.
They dry fast once your dentist applies them to the cavities.

Disadvantage of porcelain fillings:

Sometimes, Porcelain isn’t suitable for treating small cavities or chipped teeth based on the tooth condition.
They are expensive because of the material used, and the process required to apply the fillings.
It takes a longer time to apply the porcelain fillings, so if you’re in a hurry, you can try the composite fillings.

Overall, It’s important to know that choosing the best type of fillings for your tooth depends on many factors such as its condition, location, personal preference, and your dentist.

you can have a further understanding of the fillings’ types benefits when consulting your dentist, and we at Sunrise BLVD Dental, are proud to offer you professional dental care services that fulfill your expectations, and more. to book your appointment, call: 954-475-8100