Figuring Out Your Fillings
You do your best to take care of your teeth, but you just discovered that you have a cavity. Don’t worry, even people who get regular dental cleanings can develop a cavity in between visits. By now you probably know the routine; make an appointment, go in and have your dentist drill out the decay, and get the cavity filled with some kind of dental material that will last for life. No worries; done. But how much do you know about the type of filling that is going into your tooth?
Filling Types
There are several types of filling materials available today:
- Gold
- Porcelain
- Silver amalgam
- Composite resin (tooth-colored)
- Glass ionomer
There are advantages and disadvantages to each material type. For example, cast gold filings are strong, but they also cost more than other materials. Silver amalgam can last for 15 years, but it doesn’t match the color of your natural teeth. Composite resin matches the color of your natural teeth, but they can wear out faster under the pressure of chewing. And porcelain fillings are long-lasting, but can cost as much as gold.
Indirect Fillings
There are also two types of indirect fillings; onlays and inlays. These are used when the cavity is too large for a standard filling, but not large enough to require a crown. The decay of the tooth is still removed, but then an impression of the tooth is sent to a lab where the inlay or onlay is created. Once created, it will be permanently cemented onto the tooth. These can be made out of composite resin, gold, or porcelain last for up to 30 years.
How To Choose?
When you have a cavity, the last thing you want to do is worry about what kind of material it will get filled with, or whether you should have an inly or an onlay. Thankfully, you don’t need to make that decision alone. Your dentist will let you know what option will work best for you, judging on the location of the tooth and the size of the cavity.
Community Dental Group has years of experience with general and cosmetic dentistry. Fillings are a daily occurrence for us, as they are the most common of all dental procedures. We’ll work with you to determine the best filling material we have for your cavity, get you filled up, and you’ll be back to life in no time. No worries; done.