Dental Fillings: Types And Benefits

One of the most outstanding things about teeth is that they can withstand a lot of stuff we throw at them. If you care for them, they can last for an entire lifetime. But as we all know, life never misses having curves, bends, and bumps that tend to slow us down. Your teeth might not remain perfect, so you might get a cavity or two that might shorten the lifespan of your tooth.

Thank goodness you live in this era where cavities are not rectified by extracting the troubled tooth. We have dental fillings in Milford, CT, which can help restore a tooth with a cavity.

Your tooth functionally will be fully restored when you get a tooth filling. However, there are different tooth fillings that you can choose from, which can be challenging for you to find the one that is right for you. So, let’s explore the type of fillings and their benefits.

Types of Fillings

Our general dentist near you offers different types of dental fillings that can suit your needs. However, for you to land the filling that’s right for you, you must tick the following boxes:

• Location of the filling
• The cost
• The extent of the damage
• History of allergic reaction to metal

When carefully considering the above factors and discussing them with our dentist, you can select the filling that meets your needs. These are your choices:

Gold Fillings

The gold fillings are not made from pure gold but from a mixture of several metals, such as copper. Gold fillings are known for their durability. If you wish to go for this option, here are some of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Since gold fillings are fashioned from metal, they will last you more than a decade and can even serve you for more years.
• Since they are metal, they don’t corrode.
• Gum tissues usually tolerate gold fillings.
• They are sturdy and withstand chewing force, which means they are appropriate for back teeth.

Cons

• They are a bit more expensive than the other dental fillings
• Most patients find gold fillings unpleasant due to their color and would prefer tooth-colored fillings
• You will need additional visits to get these fillings

Amalgam (Silver) Fillings

Like gold fillings, silver fillings are not made from silver but are a combination of various metals such as tin and silver. They also have 50% elemental mercury, which binds the different metals together, hence the name amalgam fillings. These fillings have the following pros and cons:

Pros

• These fillings are quite durable and can serve you nearly as long as gold fillings
• They are strong and can withstand the chewing force, making them excellent back tooth restorations
• They are not as expensive as gold fillings

Cons

• Most people find them unappealing since they don’t match the color of their teeth
• Too much tooth structure will be removed to accommodate the filling
• These fillings tend to expand more often and can cause cracks and fractures in the tooth
• Some people get allergic reactions because of the mercury

Composite Fillings

These fillings are people’s favorite since they are tooth-colored. They are made from powdered glass and acrylic. Some of the pros and cons are:

Pros

• Since they are made from resin, they bond to the tooth structure, which aids in supporting the tooth
• Since they are tooth-colored, they have excellent aesthetics
• They are versatile because they can repair broken, chipped, and worn teeth
• They require less space, meaning that more of your tooth structure will remain intact

Cons

• They aren’t stain-resistant
• They wear out much faster than gold, silver, and porcelain fillings
• They are prone to chipping depending on the location of the filling

Porcelain Fillings

These fillings are also tooth-colored as composite resin fillings; however, they are made from porcelain. Some of the pros and cons of porcelain fillings are:

Pros

• They are much more durable than composite resin
• They last much longer than composite resin
• They are stain-resistant
• Porcelain has excellent aesthetics

Cons

• They are more expensive than composite resin
• They don’t last as long as gold and silver fillings

The Takeaway

Dental fillings near you will help protect your tooth from further damage, irrespective of the one you choose. Contact us at Big Smiles Pediatric Dentistry if you still wish to know more about dental fillings in Milford, CT.