Silver, Gold, Ceramic, & Other Types Of Dental Fillings Are Compared
A cavity, or a decayed region of a tooth, is treated as part of standard dental treatment. First, a dentist removes the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving a hole or empty space. Then he'll fill the area to smooth out the tooth's surface so it "feels" right in the mouth and is safeguarded from decay.
There are five types of materials that are often utilized to fill up the gap left by a cavity removal. You may not always have a choice in the sort of filling you require, but if you do, knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each is beneficial.
Fillings Made Of Silver Amalgam
The most well-known sort of filling is this one. Silver amalgam is a mineral combination containing 50 percent silver, tin, zinc, and copper, as well as 50 percent mercury. It's a favorite filling material among dentists since it's robust, long-lasting, and inexpensive.
The average silver amalgam filling can last up to 12 years.
Silver amalgam is also rather simple for a dentist to place in a cavity, and there is little risk of it becoming contaminated by blood or saliva.
However, there are several drawbacks to using silver amalgam. Because it is unattractive, it is not a suitable choice for a highly prominent tooth. The material can also expand and compress with time, leading to the cracking of a tooth. Food and germs can become trapped between the filling and the tooth as a result of these variations, causing new cavities to develop.
Fillings Made Of Composite Materials
Composite fillings are constructed of a resin and plastic substance that is inserted into the cavity while it is still soft, then solidified under a strong blue "curing" light. It's a popular choice since it can be tinted to match the color of a person's natural teeth, making it less noticeable than a silver amalgam filling. Composite fillings, on the other hand, do not endure as long as other varieties. They should be changed every five to ten years on average. They're also more expensive than silver.
Fillings Made Of Ceramic
These are constructed of porcelain and are both long-lasting and appealing to the eye. Ceramic fillings are more costly than composite resin fillings, but they're tooth-colored and resistant to discoloration and abrasion.
The downside of choosing ceramic rather than composite is that it is more fragile, requiring a bigger size to avoid shattering.
This necessitates enlarging the tooth's surface area to accommodate the added mass. Inlays and onlays are the terms used to describe these ceramic repairs.
Ionomer Glass Fillings
These fillings made of glass and acrylic are ideal for toddlers whose teeth are still developing. They emit fluoride, which can help to prevent teeth from decay. However, because they are substantially weaker than composite resin and are more likely to shatter or wear out, they only last a few years. Glass ionomer does not match the color of the teeth as well as composite resin.
Fillings Made Of Gold
Gold fillings are costly and uncommon, which should come as no surprise. In fact, finding a dentist who would offer gold as an option might be tough. Furthermore, the appropriate placement of a gold filling necessitates more than one clinic visit. Gold, on the other hand, is durable, does not corrode, and may survive for more than 20 years.