It may seem surprising but even when it comes to your dental fillings, you have options. Which filling is best for you will depend on a few different factors. There are 4 common fillings types and each has its own set of benefits..
Why Get A Dental Filling?
We will get to the four types of fillings but first, let’s talk about why you would get a dental filling. Dental fillings are often a treatment approach to your tooth having decay. While you might be tempted to forgo the filling altogether or postpone it, this isn’t usually the best idea.
Decay continues to work on your tooth and over time, the decay will grow. Your dentist will remove the decay from your tooth so that the bacteria don’t continue to make matters worse. Once the decay has all been removed, a filling will be placed. This filling serves many functions as it esthetically helps your tooth while also returning you back to normal speaking and chewing functions.
How Long Will My Dental Filling Last?
How long your dental filling will last depends on a few different factors:
- Type of filling: Different filling materials offer different longevity
- Care: How well a filling is cared for through brushing and flossing can affect the length of its life
- Diet: Eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding too much sugar can go a long way to keeping your teeth and fillings in good shape
- Routine dental check-ups: Seeing your dentist on a regular basis allows your dentist the opportunity to make sure that your fillings are in good working order
Most fillings can last up to 10+ years with porcelain and gold fillings lasting even longer than this.
Porcelain
Porcelain fillings are also often referred to as onlays or inlays. They are composed of a material that is mercury and metal-free. Porcelain provides a much stronger and more durable material than other filling types, but it is also the most expensive.
Porcelain fillings are created in a dental lab. They are very precisely made to fit your exact tooth. When placed on your tooth, they actually bond with your tooth which is what helps make them last a long time.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are white resin fillings. They match the color of your tooth which makes them aesthetically pleasing. While they are affordable and the most commonly used filling, they aren’t quite as durable as some of the other filling options.
When placing a composite filling, moisture can contaminate the filling and lead to the filling failing. Thus, it is very important that your dentist keeps the area where they are working very dry.
Silver Amalgam
Amalgam fillings are also very affordable filling. They were used a lot in the decades past due to their strength and cost-effectiveness, but in the last decade, composites have become the more likely choice. Most patients don’t want the silver appearance that amalgams give and some don’t like that they contain mercury and thus choose a mercury-free option.
Cast Gold
While case gold makes for a very strong and durable filling, it is not used very often in today’s dental offices. Case gold isn’t as esthetically pleasing as other fillings and it is rather expensive when compared to other filling options.
Do you have a tooth that needs a filling? Wait no longer! Reach out to Bridge Creek Dental to schedule your next appointment. Taking care of your tooth decay will allow you to return back to normal life and all its functions.