If you have a cavity in one or several teeth, the next thing you’d have to do is consider the different types of dental fillings to prevent the problem from escalating. After a visit to the dentist with a tooth cavity issue, they can suggest several types of material to use as dental fillings, but you’ll also have to give your opinion depending on your budget and likings.
The main types of materials that are used to fill cavities include:
Silver amalgam
Ceramic
Composite
Glass ionomers
Gold
Keep reading to learn more about each one of the dental filling materials listed above.
1. Silver amalgam fillings
This is the most common and widely known dental filling material. It’s a mixture of zinc, tin, copper, mercury, and silver. It’s the most preferred simply because it lasts long. The only downside is that it's not aesthetically appealing.
2. Ceramic fillings
This type of dental fillings is made of porcelain. It is durable, aesthetically appealing, and stain-resistant, but can be quite expensive. Even though it is durable, it is brittle and is, therefore, more prone to breaking.
3. Composite fillings
Composite fillings are made of powdered glass and acrylic resin. They can be colored to match your teeth but they wear out quite easily, requiring you to get a replacement every five to ten years.
4. Glass ionomer fillings
This type of filling is made of fluoroaluminosilicate, a component of glass, and acrylic. They release fluoride to avert further damage to the teeth and are the best for baby teeth. On the downside, they last only a few years, and they don’t match the color of teeth.
5. Gold fillings
You won’t be surprised to learn that this is the most expensive and least common type of dental fillings. They are not made of pure gold, but they are quite strong and will last a whole 20 years or more.
In summary,
The above are the main types of dental fillings that can be used to get rid of dental cavities. Of course, your dentist will help you to choose the ideal dental filling, but it’s still important to have some basic information about the different types of fillings.