A dental filling is a restorative procedure that is typically offered by a general dentist. Fillings are done in order to restore teeth that are damaged from injuries or cavities. When dental fillings were first introduced, patients were only offered in one material option. Today, however, there are many different choices that patients can consider.

Each dental filling material has its own benefits. Ready to find out more about your filling choices? Keep reading to learn about each one.

4 Dental filling materials

The following outlines a few options for dental filling materials. With modern dentistry, patients have the ability to choose from a variety of different kinds of fillings, all of which offer a way of restoring a tooth and preventing it from further damage.

Gold

Using a gold dental filling to restore a tooth is a great choice. Gold, as a material, is durable and extremely difficult to destroy. This means that normal wear and tear will not break the filling down, and patients can expect it to last up to 20 years. In some cases, gold dental fillings can last an entire lifetime. One thing to keep in mind with a gold dental filling is that it will be quite visible within the tooth, so it may not be suitable for teeth at the front of the mouth.

Silver amalgam

Dental fillings that are made of silver amalgam have been around the longest. Dentists have been using this type of filling for years and it was actually the first material option. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding silver amalgam, but the American Dental Association has deemed it safe and reliable. Just like with gold dental fillings, silver amalgam ones are also very visible.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a white substance that is commonly used in dentistry for dental fillings and crowns. It is a very strong and reliable material that dentists often recommend in modern dentistry. While there have been arguments made that porcelain is not as strong as gold or silver amalgam, there are no proven facts to show that. One advantage of a porcelain dental crown is that patients can expect to have a discreet method of treatment. Unlike gold or silver amalgam fillings, porcelain ones are not noticeable to the eye.

Composite resin

The other option for dental fillings refers to the composite-resin category, which consists of plastic-based materials. They are white in color and are also known to be pretty discreet looking. Composite resin is another material that is commonly used in dentistry. However, in regard to dental fillings, they are not as strong and durable as porcelain, gold or silver amalgam. Often, a dentist will recommend a composite resin filling for a temporary solution until a crown or implant is placed.

Get started with a dental filling today

Interested in learning more about the different dental filling material options available to you? Questions and concerns should be addressed by a dentist. Reach out to our office today to get started.

Request an appointment here: https://brookemcloningerdds.com or call Brooke M. Cloninger, D.D.S. at (509) 319-2152 for an appointment in our Spokane office.

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