Correcting decayed or fractured teeth requires restorative treatment. A filling is the gentlest way to repair damaged teeth, helping regain their integrity and function without resorting to more serious methods, such as crowns. Modern dentists offer many types of dental fillings to their patients. To make the right choice, you should understand their key differences. This article will help you select a filling that is both cost-effective and durable.
Possibilities and Limitations of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings effectively improve oral health when teeth are damaged. However, they are not universal, and sometimes, a specialist will recommend more fundamental treatment methods. First, understand the range of dental issues that can be addressed with fillings:
- Removal of small to moderate cavities. In early-stage decay, the tooth structure remains intact. A small filling is sufficient to prevent further deterioration.
- Repairing minor cracks or chips. Teeth can develop cracks or chips from various injuries. If the damage is minor, the dentist restores them with fillings.
- Repairing enamel erosion. Tooth enamel can become thinner with age or be eroded by acidic foods and drinks. A filling will replace the lost tooth material or restore surface wear.
- Improving tooth appearance. Tooth-colored composite fillings effectively disguise discoloration, brightening your smile.
If your dental problems are more extensive, a filling will be part of the solution. For example, if the tooth structure is already damaged, the dentist will fill the tooth before placing a crown. Or if decay has reached the pulp and a dental abscess has developed, the dentist will first treat the infection, then fill the root canals and cavity.
However, in the following cases, you will need more substantial restoration to prevent further decay:
- Teeth loosening
- Deep cracks causing structural weakening
- Significant decay
- Recurring loss of fillings after eating
- Pain when biting or excessive sensitivity to hot and cold
- Recurring decay around an existing filling
In these situations, you will need a stronger solution, such as crowns, nerve ablation, or dental implants.
Direct and Indirect Fillings
Direct fillings are placed by the dentist during the first appointment and don’t require a dental technician.
In contrast, indirect fillings are fabricated in a dental laboratory after impressions of the patient’s teeth are taken. To ensure proper chewing function while waiting, the dentist places a temporary filling. This requires at least two visits. However, modern dental offices equipped with CAD/CAM technology eliminate the wait. You can get even complex fillings, such as inlays/onlays, during your first visit.
The Most Common Types of Filling Materials in Dentistry
Dentistry uses many different materials to restore teeth, including composites, metal amalgams, glass ionomers, ceramics, and gold. Each material has distinct properties that affect durability, appearance, and cost. When choosing a filling material, consider all these factors.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are among the oldest and most proven methods in dentistry. For over 150 years, dentists have been saving patients’ teeth using a mixture of metals—mercury, silver, tin, and copper. This gives them a silvery color, making them unsuitable for front teeth. However, for back teeth, they are a reliable solution because amalgam fillings are durable and resistant to heavy loads. Furthermore, they are one of the most affordable fillings, making them cost-effective even for restoring large cavities.
Tooth-Colored Composites
If you want aesthetically pleasing results at a low cost, choose composite resin fillings. They match the tooth color, making them ideal for both back and front teeth. Furthermore, your dentist will remove less tooth material to place these fillings, helping preserve the tooth structure. Another important advantage over amalgam fillings is their lower thermal sensitivity.
Still, patients pay a higher price for these advantages compared with metal fillings. They also need more frequent replacement, as composite resin fillings last on average 5 to 10 years.
Natural-Looking Porcelain/Ceramic Fillings
Porcelain fillings are excellent for both long-lasting results and stunning appearance. They most closely resemble tooth enamel, as porcelain has excellent light transmittance. Unlike amalgam fillings, they pose no risk to people with hypersensitivities or allergies. And unlike composite fillings, they will not change color or lose their aesthetic appeal over time. However, porcelain is an expensive dental material, so restorative treatment with porcelain fillings is costly.
Glass Ionomers
Glass ionomer fillings are often the best solution for high-risk patients and children. They prevent secondary decay thanks to fluoride release. This material does not cause tooth sensitivity and does not require significant tooth removal when filling. Still, these fillings are not suitable for large cavities, as they are weaker under high pressure. Therefore, back teeth are best filled with a different material.
Long-lasting Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are the most resistant to corrosion, meaning they will last for over 20 or even 30 years. Gold is highly biocompatible and suitable even for people prone to allergies. However, this material has its weaknesses—a distinct metallic appearance and heat sensitivity. If the patient has old amalgam fillings or crowns made of nickel-chromium alloys in adjacent teeth, a gold filling can even lead to galvanic shock.
The Bottom Line
Dental filling materials influence the effectiveness of tooth restoration, as well as the cost and longevity of the dental solution. They also contribute to the patient’s post-procedure comfort and quality of life. Therefore, before your visit to the dentist, weigh the pros and cons of each material to make an informed decision. Your dentist will help you choose the best option, but the more information you have, the more confident and correct your choice will be.
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