What Are the 5 Types of Dental Fillings?

You delay dental visits as far as possible because you fear the sounds and noises of the dental office and the smells. However, when you eventually schedule your appointment with the dentist in Gillette for dental exams, you think the exam requires a few minutes and should not cause any concerns.

You express surprise when the dentist informs you that you have a cavity in the tooth that needs prompt treatment before aggravating into a severe condition. The dentist even points out the time difference between your last visit and states you could have prevented the cavity by seeing them earlier.

The thought of getting dental fillings sends shudders down your spine, thinking of how much the fillings cost and the pain you must endure when getting your tooth filled. The dentist calms you by mentioning that the relatively minor dental fillings procedure is completed within 40 minutes. They also provide you information that you will likely fill no discomfort when getting dental fillings of your preference in your tooth.

What Is a Dental Filling?

Dental fillings are materials used to restore decayed and damaged teeth to restore their strength and appearance. When bacteria attack your tooth to create cavities, the damage remains with you permanently. Your tooth enamel has no mechanism to regenerate and needs help from external sources for tooth repair. Dental fillings are created exclusively for filling teeth damaged by tooth decay or accidents.

Five Types of Dental Fillings Appropriate for You

When informed about dental fillings, you might wonder which dental filling material best suits your specific needs. All filling materials are appropriate to fill teeth regardless of their position. However, some fillers might be suitable for filling particular situations and are better chosen after discussing them with a dental filling in Gillette, WY.

However, for purposes of curiosity, here are the five most popular dental filling materials dentists provide:

• Silver Amalgam Fillings: You might think of silver dental fillings when looking at amalgam fillings. However, the fillings of a combination of tin, copper, silver, and Mercury. Silver amalgam fillings have been around for over 150 years for durability and long-lasting nature. These fillers are also the most affordable available. However, silver amalgam fillings are not aesthetically pleasing, making them noticeable, and the fillers tend to darken over time. Therefore if you want fillings that won’t impact your smile, amalgam fillings will not suit your preferences.
• Gold Fillings: If silver fillings are not made from pure silver, gold fillings are similarly created. However, gold fillers are the most durable and last for over two decades with proper care. In addition, gold fillers are noncorrosive and will not change color over time. However, they are incredibly expensive, costing six to ten times more than amalgam fillings.
• Composite Resin Fillings: Acrylic and powdered glass help make composite resin fillings the dentist can match the color of your teeth. Composite resin fillings are incredibly popular and are excellent for the anterior teeth that show off when you smile. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than silver amalgam fillings and not as durable. If you decide on tooth-colored composite resin fillings, you must prepare yourself to have them replaced every five to seven years.
• Ceramic Fillings: Porcelain generally helps make ceramic fillers making them a low profile option because, besides being tooth-colored, they are also stain-resistant. Unfortunately, ceramic fillings are brittle compared to composite fillers and cost as much as gold fillings.
• Glass Ionomer: the final type of filling material is resin or glass ionomer fillers. Acrylic and glass help make ionomer fillings generally used to cement dental inlays or restore cavities on the front teeth. They are also helpful for filling baby teeth and help prevent tooth decay by releasing fluoride.

Which Material for Dental Filling Is Best for Your Teeth?

Selecting the dental filling material for yourself might be a challenge you wouldn’t want to confront when getting your tooth filled. It helps if you allow the dentist to determine the best filler for your specific situation. The dentist considers the location of the cavity, the extent of damage, your budget, and insurance coverage before recommending any explicit dental filling material for your teeth.

When getting dental fillings, you must ensure you don’t choose a filling material inappropriate for your needs. For example, you might decide to invest in gold fillings for your front teeth without realizing they might make you look like a gangster instead of an average layperson. On the other hand, choosing composite resin fillings for your molars will require you to make dental visits every five years to get them replaced. Therefore you should allow the Gillette dentist to select the filling material and restore your teeth without impacting your smile.

Mountain West Dental provides excellent dental fillings for cavities for damages to your tooth. They also have a wide variety of dental fillers. If you need fillings for your teeth, consider visiting this dental facility for tooth restoration.