Guide to Choosing the Best Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are oral materials used in restorative dentistry to repair and restore damaged and diseased teeth. The primary role of dental fillings is to fill and seal the damaged parts of teeth after they have been removed. As such, you get to retain your natural teeth without the diseased parts. In many cases, dental fillings are used as a treatment for dental decay. However, there are other instances where a filling could be used for other purposes. Examples include, after a procedure like a root canal therapy, or to repair broken teeth.
Common Types of Dental Fillings in Dentistry
Depending on your preferences, different types of tooth fillings can be used to match your dental goals and desires. The different types of fillings include:
- Silver fillings – also called amalgams. They are the most common types of fillings used for repairing and restoring teeth. They feature a metal alloy of mercury, copper, and zinc, with silver as the primary component. They are very effective for repairing damaged teeth since the material is sturdy. Better yet, amalgams are the most affordable type of tooth fillings in dentistry. However, for patients concerned about their aesthetic appearances, silver fillings may not be the prime choice.
- Gold fillings – they feature gold as the primary material, offering patients a luxurious experience. The material used makes for a sturdy tooth filling that can withstand repeated chewing over many years. However, you may need to save up a lot to ensure you can afford treatment with gold fillings since they tend to be expensive.
- Composite tooth fillings – feature composite resin, usually applied on teeth through a dental bonding procedure. The composite resin is tooth-colored, allowing your dentist to select the appropriate shade of white that matches your natural teeth. Composite fillings are incredible for repairing the front teeth because of their cosmetic advantage. However, these fillings are not as sturdy as their counterparts, which may also affect their durability.
- Porcelain tooth fillings – they feature ceramic or porcelain material that offers similar cosmetic advantages as composite fillings. The material used can be matched to the color of your natural teeth for aesthetic elevation for your smile. The material is also sturdy, generally more than composite fillings.
- Glass ionomer fillings – feature acrylic material that helps seal the chewing surfaces of teeth as is the case with dental sealants offered by kids’ dentists in Columbia, SC.
Crucial Factors To Guide You in Dental Filling Selection
Given that there are more than two types of dental fillings to choose from, it can get overwhelming to decide which ones are best for you. An important aspect you cannot neglect in your decision-making process is the input of your dentist for dental fillings in Columbia SC. Their recommendation should mean the most to you. However, other than that, consider also the following aspects:
- Who is getting the dental fillings? – the type of tooth fillings suitable for an adult may not be suitable for a child. For instance, a pediatric dentist in Columbia, SC, is more likely to recommend dental sealants for children than adults. It is why you need to consult a kids’ dentist near you for tooth filling procedures for your child.
- Location of the tooth filling – some types of dental fillings are more suitable for front teeth than others. Technically, you need a type of tooth filling that can withstand the constant pressure of chewing for the back teeth. On the other hand, you are likely to prioritize the cosmetic appearance of the type of tooth filling you choose for your front teeth.
- Budget constraints – as Dr. Harold Jablon will inform you, not all types of dental fillings are covered by dental insurance. As such, you should be keen to consider the cost of your fillings before getting them. For instance, gold fillings may feel luxurious, but they are costly compared to other options like silver fillings.
- The sturdiness of the materials – technically, all types of tooth fillings are sturdy enough for restoring and repairing teeth. However, some materials are sturdier than others, and this factor should influence your decision.
- Durability – no type of tooth filling can last forever. However, some types last much longer than others before you ever think of replacing your fillings.