Types of Dental Fillings

Treating a cavity in Auburn is a routine part of the dental care. The dentist first cleans the decayed part of the tooth which leaves a hole on it. The hole is then filled for making the surface of the tooth even. This will protect the tooth from further decay.

When it comes to dental fillings, you can find five types of materials. If you ever need a filling, here’s a look at some information about the types of filling.

Silver Amalgam Fillings

It’s the most widely known type of filling. However, the filling is not just silver but a mixture of tin, zinc, copper, silver, and 50 percent mercury. Since, it’s strong and durable, it’s often the common choice of filling for dentists. It’s also quite easy for the dentist to fill it without any fear of contamination by blood and saliva.

Composite Fillings

Another type of filling is the composite filling which is made of resin and plastic material. The filling is placed in the cavity when it is soft and then made to harden with the help of a blue light. The composite filling is a widely chosen option as it matches the tooth colour and it is not as visible as silver filling.

Ceramic Fillings

The ceramic fillings are made of porcelain and are durable as well as aesthetically appealing. Though they are more expensive than the other variants, it’s worth the money because the fillings are tooth-coloured and resistant to abrasion and staining. They are also known as inlays or onlays.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

The glass and acrylic fillings are ideal for children as their teeth are still changing. They last for less than 5 years and release fluoride which protects their teeth from decay. But they are weaker than composite filling and may wear out says dentist in AL 36830.

Gold Fillings

The gold fillings are an option but they are quite expensive and not chosen very often. It can be a task to find a dentist that offers gold filling. However, gold filling are sturdy, won’t corrode, and may last for more than 15 years.