Types of Dental Filling Material & Which is the Best Filling Material

Your cavity tooth has a filling option. Yes, it is true, but do not neglect your tooth and make them prone to cavities. Dental Filling is one of the preventive dentistry. This procedure is to safeguard the tooth from getting dead or non-vital. So let us understand what Dental Filling is.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Dental Filling?
2. What factors influence the choice of dental filling?
3. Types of Dental Filling Materials
   • Silver Amalgam Fillings.
   • Composite Resins      
   • Porcelain Fillings
   • Gold tooth fillings
4. How long does a filling last?
5. Conclusion
6. FAQs

Dental Filling or Tooth Filling is a process of restoring a damaged or decayed tooth. Dental Filling is also suggested to restore the lost tooth structure. It is the go-to procedure to treat the decayed tooth.

In the decayed tooth layers, there is an accumulation of infectious substances. This grows and deepens the decay in the tooth. The dentist will numb the teeth to take out the damaged part of the tooth. Then they will fill out the hollowed area of your tooth with the filling material.

Uses of dental fillings

We use Dental fillings to restore the shape of the teeth. This also increases tooth stability for ease of chewing and biting. The dental filling also prevents further decay, damage, and tooth loss.

The patient can opt for dental filling in any of these cases.

• To fill the holes in the enamel but have not affected the inner pulp.
• Injured or broken teeth where the enamel has chipped off and tooth decay.
• To restore the worn-out tooth.
• Reduces tooth sensitivity.
• Aesthetically good and prolongs the life of natural teeth.

The procedure of Dental Filling

The dental filling procedure is simple and effective. At first, the doctor numbs the gums and teeth around the affected tooth. Then the dentists inspect to find the depth of the problem. A dental filling is suggested based on the amount of decay or damage in the tooth. If tooth decay is present, then the affected areas are cleaned and dried. Filling material is then inserted in the affected area. In the below sections of this blog, we will discuss the types of filling materials and which is the ideal one based on the infection rate.

These are the signs of Tooth Filling

You will find these symptoms sign the need for tooth fillings.

1. Hole in the tooth: Tooth holes are identifiable. If you feel the size of the hole is increasing, consult the best dentist near you.
2. Food accumulation or sticking between the tooth: The frequent accumulation of food between the tooth is common. If this is especially in a particular area, there are chances you have decay starting in the tooth.
3. Black spots on the tooth: The tooth is sensitive to any small infections and at the same time strong enough to fight. Tooth get stained due to several reasons, but if you observe the stains along the decriminalized tooth are a sign of decay.

Generally, when you need to choose anything you want, you always look for finding the most suitable option. If it is about the tooth’s aesthetics, you will search twice before you opt for anything. To meet this only requirement of you, Dr. Jaydev got you the well-practiced procedures of dental filling.

1. Dr. Jay considers the well-practiced procedure that suits your problem. First, the degree of tooth decay is assessed, but Dr. Jay says the area of healthy tissue is also to be assessed. This is because the healthy tissue is the one that supports the filling.
2. Another important factor Dr. Jay says to consider is, choosing the dental filling material based on the part of the oral cavity to treat. Because the chewing and anterior teeth require different degrees of strength.
3. Sometimes, paying attention to patient susceptibility to certain filling materials forces and excludes the possibility of allergies. Also, aesthetic requirements are also to be filled.

Today, it’s never a great deal of finding dentists saying you have tooth decay or cavity. However, if you brush and floss your teeth every day there are many chances you may be prone to tooth decay. So, the next step after this is dental filling. There are different types of dental filling materials available.

1.  Silver Amalgam Fillings

This is one of the well-practiced procedures but is not as common as it was earlier.
It is a silver-colored material made from liquid mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. The amalgam is formed from the elemental(liquid) mercury that binds together all the particles. These fillings are strong and long-lasting, which is why dentists have been using them for a long. Silver amalgam fillings are made the best choices for cavities in the back of chewing teeth.

To place the dental amalgam on the tooth, the dentistfirst drills the tooth to remove the decay. Then the tooth cavity is shaped to place the amalgam filling. Then the mixture of liquid mercury, copper, and tin putty is filled over the space. This mixture hardens into a solid filling. A silver amalgam filling lasts for an average of 10 to 12 years and is a cost-effective solution.

The only disadvantage this type of filling has is, as many people are more concerned about the aesthetics of the tooth, this highly visible filling may not be preferable for the front tooth.

2.  Composite Resins

These are the current most popular dental fillings. The dental fillings from composite resins have the same color as the natural teeth.

The composite resins are made from small glass-like particles and plastic. These fillings are preferred for the tooth that is visible when the person smiles or opens the mouth. To apply these composite fillings, there are two procedures as –

• Direct application: In this procedure, the dentist adds the mixture to the tooth after slightly roughening the surface with phosphoric acid. The material is molded to the desired share and is hardened using a UV light.
• Indirect application: This procedure starts with the dentist taking the impression of the patient’s damaged tooth. Then a mold is made to create the impression to fill the tooth. Lastly, the mold is cemented onto the tooth.

The composite resins are helpful to bring aesthetics to a worn, cracked, decayed, or broken tooth. The average lifetime of a composite resin dental filling is about 5 to 10 years.

3.  Porcelain Fillings

Like Composite fillings, porcelain fillings are also tooth-colored fillings. These are the strong fillings from a function standpoint and are the second-best option next to composite fillings. It is the longest-lasting solution compared to all the available options.

Porcelain fillings are the best choice for patients who look for cosmetic results. Porcelain fillings are made stronger to withstand the pressures to keep on the tooth. The porcelain fillings have also termed the Inlays or Onlays and are highly durable.

4.  Gold tooth filling

This is the rarest adopted filing procedure. In this procedure, a small piece of gold and other metals are cold-welded in the tooth to form the filling. These fillings are non-corrosive and long-lasting. Dental fillings offer great strength to withstand the pressure while chewing. These fillings last over 15 years if good oral hygiene is maintained.

Most of the patients do not prefer these dental fillings as they do not gel with the natural tooth color and are expensive compared to other available options.

This does not depend on one factor. Above all, the filling lasts long if proper oral hygiene is maintained.
Several factors are considered to determine dental fillings.
Size of fillings, small dental fillings last longer.
Site of fillings, The top side fillings last longer than the side way fillings.
Type of fillings, Indirect fillings last longer than direct fillings.
Filling Materials, Silver fillings last longer due to their high rate of setting expansion.

So, what are you waiting for? Consult us today to get an appointment.