What Is the Best Type of Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are materials used to fill holes found in damaged, broken, or decayed teeth. They serve the purpose of improving the aesthetics of damaged teeth and help protect the teeth from more damage and wear. Read on to learn more about dental fillings in Colonia, NJ, and what the procedure involves.

Procedure Involved in Dental Filling

Our dentist in Colonia uses a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth to be operated on. If the damage to the tooth were from tooth decay, a drill or air abrasion tool would be used to remove the decay from the tooth. Inspection of the tooth is done to ensure all the decay has been completely removed.

When the dentist has confirmed no decay is left, they can start using dental filling to cover the damaged structure of the tooth.

Once the dentist has completed the filling process, they will polish the tooth until the tooth’s original shape has been restored. The patient will be asked to bite hard and report any discomfort to confirm comfortable fillings.

Types of Dental Fillings

Composite Resin

It is a white-colored filling made from plastic and powdered glass resin. Composite resin fillings have the same shade as natural teeth and contain fluoride, which reduces the risks of tooth decay.

Advantages of Composite Resin

• Composite resin contains a chemical that allows it to attach to tooth structures, offering more anchorage easily.
• The composite resin color matches the shade of existing natural teeth, making it suitable for use as front teeth.
• It does not require many tooth structures to be removed before they can be fitted.

Disadvantages of Composite Resin

• Fillings made from composite resin tend to wear faster, especially when chewing.
• Composite resin fillings are prone to chipping.
• They are more expensive compared to other dental fillings such as amalgams

Silver Fillings

Also known as silver amalgams, silver fillings are dental fillings made from a mixture of mercury and silver.

Advantages of Silver Fillings

• They are more durable compared to other fillings such as composite resin
• Silver fillings are strong thus can withstand a lot of pressure
• Compared to composite fillings, silver fillings are a cheaper alternative

Disadvantages of Silver Fillings

• Unlike composite fillings, silver amalgamations require more natural tooth structures to be removed to make room for them.
• They do not match the color of natural teeth thus are not a good fit for frontal teeth.
• Silver fillings can experience a wider level of expansion and contraction when taking hot and cold beverages. This can result in more damage compared to other fillers.
• Some people are allergic to materials found in silver fillings

Gold Cast Fillings

Gold cast fillings are dental fillings made from a mixture of gold, copper, and other materials commonly found in dentures. They are very durable but can result in increased tooth sensitivity.

Advantages of Gold Cast Fillings

• Although they are not natural-looking, some people find gold aesthetically pleasing.
• They are durable as they do not corrode thus can last for more than ten years.
• They are very strong thus can be used for chewing

Disadvantages of Gold Cast Fillings

They require more than one office visit to the dentist

• Although rare, gold cast fillings have been found to result in a sharp pain (galvanic shock) when placed next to silver fillings
• They are expensive compared to other fillings
• Not everyone is attracted to gold cast fillings as they do not look natural.

Nickel or Cobalt-Chrome Fillings

These are silver-like dental fillings made from nickel and chromium. They are mostly used as dental cement when fixing dental crowns.

Ceramics Fillings

Ceramics are tooth fillings often made from porcelain. They are abrasive but more resistant to staining compared to composite resin. They are long-lasting but expensive, almost the same price as gold.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

These are dental fillings made from acrylic and glass material. Glass ionomer fillings are weaker than composite resin thus more prone to wear and other forms of damage. They are mostly used in young children and for fillings below the gum line.

Conclusion

Before choosing the best dental fillings for you, many factors need to be considered. Our well-trained dentists will help you select the filling that will be better suited for your needs. Visit Colonia Dental Associates, LLC in Colonia, NJ, for consultation.