{"id":772,"date":"2018-04-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/\/template2\/dental-care-blog\/five-types-dental-fillings\/"},"modified":"2018-04-18T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-04-18T00:00:00","slug":"five-types-dental-fillings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/five-types-dental-fillings\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Types Of Dental Fillings"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

\"\" IT\u2019S NEVER A GREAT <\/strong>feeling when the dentist tells you that you have a cavity, especially when you\u2019ve been diligently brushing and flossing to keep your teeth healthy. The next step after a cavity is discovered is typically a dental filling.\u00a0Fillings come in several different materials that have their own advantages and disadvantages, so let\u2019s take a look! <\/p>\n

1. The Classic: Amalgam Fillings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Amalgam fillings are what you might think of as \u201csilver\u201d dental fillings, though they\u2019re actually composed of a mixture of tin, copper, silver, and mercury. They have been used for over\u00a0150 years<\/a>! The reason dentists have been using them for so long is that they are strong and long-lasting<\/strong>, and they are also the least expensive option. However, they\u2019re very noticeable and tend to darken over time, so if you want something that blends in, amalgam fillings probably aren\u2019t the ones you want. <\/p>\n

2. Low Profile: Composite Fillings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Composite dental fillings are made of acrylic resin and powdered glass. Unlike amalgam fillings, they can be colored to match your teeth<\/strong>, which is part of what makes them so popular. They do wear out faster, though, and aren\u2019t always the best choice for teeth that take the greatest chewing pressure<\/a>. <\/p>\n

3. Putting On The Ritz: Gold Fillings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gold fillings aren\u2019t made of pure gold, just like amalgam fillings aren\u2019t made of pure silver, but they are some of the most durable fillings available<\/strong>, capable of lasting more than two decades. They can\u2019t corrode like amalgam fillings, and they\u2019re very strong. Unfortunately, they are also very expensive, costing between six and ten times more than amalgam fillings. <\/p>\n

4. Delicate Yet Realistic: Ceramic Fillings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ceramic fillings<\/a> are mostly made of porcelain. This makes them another low-profile option, and not only are they tooth-colored<\/strong>, they\u2019re also stain-resistant<\/strong>! The drawbacks of ceramic fillings are that they are more brittle than composite fillings, and they are also nearly as expensive as gold. <\/p>\n

5. Down To The Roots: Glass Ionomer Fillings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The final type of filling is resin or glass ionomer fillings<\/a>. These are made of acrylic and fluoroaluminosilicate, a component of glass. They are typically used as cement for inlay fillings, for fillings in the front teeth, and for fillings when the decay extends into the root<\/strong> of the tooth. They are also used on baby teeth. Weaker than composite resin, glass ionomer fillings might only last around five years, and they don\u2019t match the color of teeth as closely. No matter what filling you get, your tooth will still need plenty of love and care!<\/strong>