Fillings play essential dental care roles by preventing tooth decay from worsening. They act as filler and sealant once decayed tooth material has been removed by a dentist, which saves the tooth from infection and extraction. Here, learn about the different types of fillings dental professionals offer and what advantages and disadvantages they include.

Gold & Silver Amalgam

Gold and silver amalgam fillings last 15 to 20 years with the right dental care, such as seeing your dentist regularly to ensure the fillings remain intact. Gentle brushing and flossing also helps maintain the fillings by avoiding premature wear and preventing bacteria buildup that can cause remaining tooth material to decay.

While silver fillings typically require removing more natural tooth material to create enough room, both silver and gold fillings offer exceptional durability.  While neither filling is susceptible to corrosion, gold fillings are capable of withstanding considerable bite force.

Composite

A combination of plastic and resin, composite fillings offer a more natural appearance compared to silver amalgam and gold options. They undergo bonding within the tooth to create a solid, durable result, and do not require removing as much tooth material. Composites also provide solutions for chipped, worn, and broken teeth, and last five to 10 years. Additionally, composite fillings require the same dental care as your other teeth, but it’s best to avoid using them to chew hard and crunchy foods, such as pretzels, chips, and nuts.

Porcelain & Ceramic

Lab-created porcelain fillings provide near-identical tooth color matching benefits, as well as stain resistance. Porcelain fillings cover the majority of tooth surfaces and last up to 30 years, and cost about the same as gold fillings. Ceramic fillings also offer benefits such as durability and stain and abrasion resistance, and, like composite fillings, they can be taken care of with the same routine you use for your regular teeth. However, since ceramic can sometimes be somewhat brittle, this type of filling requires removing more tooth material to create a larger and, therefore, more stable filling. 

Discuss the right dental fillings for your needs with David E. Smith, DMD, PSC in Nicholasville, KY. A member of the Kentucky Dental Association, American Dental Association, and Bluegrass Dental Society, among others, Dr. Smith provides a range of dental care services for patients of all ages. Call (859) 887-4008 today to make an appointment or learn more about restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry services online.