Types of Dental Filling

Tooth decay, cavities, and many similar disorders are pretty common nowadays. Chewy and sweet foods promoting the growth of bacteria are the main reason behind it. However, you cannot opt for dentures just because of minor tooth decay or cavities. Opting for dental filling services is the best solution to such problems.

A dental filling is one of the leading branches of restorative dentistry. It will not only fill the gaps between teeth, cavities, or empty dentine portions but also enable the functionality of teeth as well. And the best part is that the filling color is similar to that of teeth. No one will notice if you have opted for filling or not. It just looks like natural teeth.

Types of Tooth Fillings

A tooth filling is not just of a single type or material. There are numerous dental filling types. Your dentists choose the right type and material of tooth filling depending on the condition of your tooth. Following are some basic categories of dental fillings.

Types of Tooth Fillings based on Material Used

Gold Filling

It is the rarest form of dental filling. It gives a luxurious appearance to your teeth and makes you feel like a pirate who has conquered the world. Apart from fun, gold filling is one of the strongest and most durable types. It would last for years without any damage.

However, it is the most expensive type. Pure gold is used in this restorative process and the cost is 10 times more than other types of fillings.

Silver Filling

In the case of silver filling for your teeth, silver is not the only material used. Instead, a combination of silver and other metals is used. The compound of any metal with silver is called amalgam. So usually these fillings are amalgam fillings. Zinc, Copper, tin, and mercury amalgam are used for a silver filling. Dentists may use a single or combination of all these amalgams for cavity filling. Silver or amalgam filling is among the most common types of dental filling and is well-known due to its durability.

However, dentists don’t recommend this type to pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also visible due to its color and may induce sensitivity in your teeth as well.

Tooth-colored Filling

These are composite fillings and are very popular due to their white color. These fillings match exactly with the color of your teeth and give a natural finish to your teeth. Composite fillings have become so popular nowadays that people are replacing their previous amalgam with them. These are pretty versatile as well and are used to repair cracked and chipped teeth as well.

Some disadvantages are also associated with these types of fillings. Composite fillings are not durable lime amalgam fillings. They don’t last long especially when used for back teeth in adults. Furthermore, this restorative process is expensive and time taking as well because composite fillings don’t chair to place easily.

Porcelain Filling

Porcelain filling often referred to as ceramic filling is probably the best type of dental filling. From durability to matching color with teeth, this filing is perfect in every department. It is preferred over tooth-colored composite due to its durability. Furthermore, unlike composite fillings porcelain doesn’t get stained over time. If you take care of filling then porcelain filling can last for 10 to 15 years without any damage.

The only downside could be its cost. However, it is justified by the longevity and strength of porcelain filling.

Glass Ionomer

It is the second rare type of dental filling after gold. Glass ionomers cement filling is pretty unique as well. It is made up of acrylic material and a specific type of glass. It may be invisible or tooth-colored depending upon the composition of the material used. It is used near the gum lines for small fillings. The biggest advantage is that this filling releases fluoride over time which strengthens the adjacent teeth.

Glass ionomer cement filling doesn’t last for a long time. It can get damaged by applying a little pressure or force. It can be used only for small fillings and its cost is similar to a composite.

Indirect Fillings

Indirect fillings are similar to composites or other tooth-colored fillings. These are prepared in a laboratory depending on the damage to your teeth. These types of dental fillings are used when a tooth gets high damage and cannot support any filling. However, it is not damaged enough to get a crown as well. Therefore, an indirect filling is used. There are two types of indirect fillings.

Inlays

Inlays are used for individual teeth only. The material is similar to any ordinary filling but lies on the surface of teeth in the form of cusps. These cusps or bumps lie on the entire chewing surface of teeth and restore their functionality.

Onlays

Onlays are similar to inlays but in a more extensive form. They can cover more than one tooth and a greater surface as well. Onlays are often referred to as partial crowns.

Aftercare Routine After Getting Dental Filling

You can not just start eating or doing other regular activities using your teeth just after a dental filling. You need to follow a few dental care routines to make sure the recovery is quick. You must keep the following things in mind after going through a procedure.

• Eat soft food for a few days for a better chair of filling to its place.
• Sensitivity will be high after dental filling so doesn’t drink or eat very cold or hot things. However, you can opt for ice cream as it is soft and relieves swelling.
• Don’t brush for at least 24 to 72 hours to avoid toothache after filling.

Final Verdict

It’s up to you which type of dental filling you choose. We will suggest you go with a porcelain one as it is durable and cost-effective as compared to other fillings. You can get the best dental filling services at our clinic as we have highly skilled dentists to solve your every teeth-related problem.