What Are the Pros and Cons of Different Dental Filling Materials?

Tooth fillings are a procedure that effectively repairs and restores decayed teeth. Today, there are numerous materials available to make dental fillings. Fillings can be single or made of a combination of glass, plastic, or other materials. They minimize the risk of holes in the teeth by preventing them from turning bigger and resulting in tooth nerve damage.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Materials Used for Fillings

When the dentist uses dental fillings for treating teeth cavities, they can be made of different materials. Let us discover the pros and cons of each:

Ceramic or Porcelain Fillings

The dentist uses ceramic and porcelain fillings for inlays and Onlays, dental veneers, crowns, implants, and orthodontic brackets. These fillings usually stay for 7 years or even more. They are customizable to assemble the shade of real teeth. It makes them less noticeable and more aesthetically appealing. Since porcelain or ceramic dental fillings are indirect, you need numerous dental visits.

Pros 

• They offer a natural feeling and look.
• Resist tooth stains better than composite resin fillings.

Cons

• The dentist needs to minimize the tooth size to prevent breakage.
• These fillings are more likely to break and are not as strong as composite resin.

Composite Fillings

Composite dental fillings are also known as composite resin fillings. These modern fillings at Rose City Dental Centre are fitted to the teeth directly to restore the natural look of the tooth. They are manufactured using acrylic resin and powdered glass material. These fillings are customizable to resemble your natural teeth.

Pros

• They are durable.
• They ideally blend with your smile.
• Do not have harmful materials.
• They don’t need the removal of any part of the tooth during installation.

Cons

• These fillings are not as strong as metal fillings because they stay for around 5 years.
• They are highly prone to wear and tear and staining with time.
• They are more costly than amalgam dental fillings.

Gold Fillings

Compared to other dental fillings in Welland, ON, they are the most expensive. The dentist uses them to restore the functioning of the natural tooth and for fabricating inlays and Onlays. These fillings are highly durable and manufactured for a blend of gold and other metals.

Pros

• They withstand extreme force and pressure. It makes the best choice for treating molars.
• Gold fillings can last around 15 years.
• They are aesthetically pleasing.
• They will not corrode.

Cons

• They can result in galvanic shock when mixed with amalgam dental fillings.
• Need extra dental visits for installation.
• They are the most costly filling material.
• Do not resemble the shade of nearby natural teeth.
• The filling placement needs two dental visits.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings are also known as silver fillings. These traditional fillings are manufactured using a combination of copper, silver, mercury, and other metals. The dentist uses these fillings usually for the back teeth. They are direct fillings. Therefore, you do not need to book several dental visits. Their unique silver color makes them less famous.

Pros

• Have a lifespan of 10 years – 15 years.
• Affordable than composite resin and gold fillings.
• Inexpensive and strong enough to fight tooth decay.
• Withstands forces and pressure while chewing food.
• Not sensitive to moisture than other dental filling types.
• You need only a single visit.

Cons

• Results in discoloration or tarnishing with time.
• They do not match the shade of natural teeth nearby.
• Few patients get allergic to mercury.
• Silver fillings don’t bond with the tooth directly.
• These fillings can also significantly affect the immune, nervous, and digestive systems due to the mercury elements in them.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are ideal for baby teeth that require tiny fillings. In some cases, the dentist uses them to fill the area below the gum lining. They are made with glass – acrylic.

Pros

• These fillings bond to the tooth directly using a chemical reaction. It makes the bone strong. It helps to reduce the chances of tooth decay.
• Glass ionomer filling looks natural.
• They release chloride.
• The dentist near you needs no preparation before the placement of glass ionomer fillings.

Cons

• The placement process takes more time than other filling materials.
• They are not as robust as composite resin fillings.