How to Choose the Right Type of Dental Filling
Dental fillings are among the most common dental solutions in restorative dentistry. Many people associate them with dental cavities for molars. However, did you know you do not need to incur a tooth cavity to get a dental filling? Besides, dental fillings can also restore the front teeth.
What Are Dental Fillings?
They are oral materials that repair damaged teeth in restorative dentistry. Dental fillings near you feature a range of different dental materials, both metal-based and non-metal. Dentists use dental fillings to replace damaged tooth enamel. The most common reason people need dental fillings in Trafalgar is to repair dental cavities. However, you can get dental fillings for other reasons such as:
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
- Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
- Risk of infection
What Is the Procedure for Getting Dental Fillings?
The dentist near you will first numb your mouth with local anesthesia. It should make the whole treatment painless. Then, your dentist will drill the tooth, removing any traces of infection and damage. At Indian Creek Family Dentistry, we use a laser cavity detector to detect any traces of bacteria on a tooth before proceeding with the treatment.
The next phase entails disinfecting the tooth with topical antibiotics to destroy any present bacteria. After that, you will select the dental filling of choice, filling and sealing the target tooth.
How Do You Choose the Right Dental Filling for You?
Before choosing the perfect dental filling, you should know about the available options. They are:
- Gold fillings – are metal dental fillings featuring gold as the primary material. They are very sturdy and durable, perfect for restoring the back teeth, especially the second molars. However, these fillings can be very costly.
- Silver fillings – are also called amalgams. They are the most common dental fillings in dentistry, being in use for several years. They feature a metal alloy of zinc, copper, mercury, and silver as the primary material. They have the color silver, which can make them unsightly when you smile. Their sturdiness and durability make them perfect for restoring back teeth. However, some people have allergic reactions to the metallic components in the fillings, particularly mercury.
- Composite fillings – are also called white fillings, featuring tooth-colored composite resin. These tooth fillings are aesthetically pleasing and comparable to the color of natural teeth. However, they do not make for the sturdiest fillings in dentistry. Besides that, they do not last as long as other dental fillings.
- Porcelain fillings – are tooth-colored fillings, serving as ideal alternatives to composite fillings. They feature porcelain, a sturdy tooth-colored material that is more natural-looking than composite resin. However, a lot of preparation goes into porcelain fillings, which can heighten their cost, comparable to the cost of gold fillings.
- Glass ionomers – are the most unique dental fillings in dentistry. They feature acrylic material, common in pediatric dentistry. Dentists use glass ionomers proactively to protect teeth from developing dental cavities. These dental fillings can be packed with fluoride, which adds to their ability to increase teeth’ resistance to dental cavities.
Which of All the Dental Fillings Is the Best?
When choosing dental fillings, there is no right or wrong. You have to determine what you want based on various guiding factors:
- Cost – do you have the budget for the kind of fillings you want. The good news is that insurance companies usually cover most of the cost of some dental fillings. Liaise with your insurance company to know which dental fillings are covered.
- Aesthetics – do you care about the appearance of your smile, or are you prioritizing functionality?
- Location of the tooth – front teeth cannot be treated the same way as the back teeth. For molars and premolars, you must prioritize strength and instead, prioritize aesthetics for front teeth.
- Durability – are you okay with the thought of seeking retreatment after five years, or would you prefer a filling that lasts longer?
Duration of treatment – some dental fillings take more time to install than others. For example, porcelain fillings are indirect restorations that may require up to 2 weeks before your treatment is complete. If you would rather have a quick fix, they may not be the perfect fit for you.