Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body. They help you chew, facilitate speech, and provide certain boosts to self-confidence and charisma that can make life richer and more enjoyable.
The problem is that they’re prone to decay. That’s why understanding your filling options is something essential to ensuring that your smile can stay both functional and beautiful for years to come.
Let’s explore four of the most popular philosophies revolving around what type of dental filling you should use to restore your smile.
1. Composite Fillings
Composite fillings employ hardened resins to protect your teeth from further decay or damage. These resins harden when an ultraviolet light is applied to them, which in turn makes them easier to apply and requires minimal removal of healthy tooth tissue.
The drawback is that composite fillings are not the most durable, which means they’re prone to cracking and failing sooner than most other types of fillings.
2. Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings consist of copper, silver, tin and zinc mixed together with mercury. These types of fillings require a larger portion of the tooth to be removed because they do not bond like composite fillings do.
While they’re more durable than composite fillings, they may also make it easier for certain teeth to chip and crack prematurely due to their design. The mercury is also a concern to some patients, though this is generally regarded as something that patients shouldn’t worry about.
3. Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are much like amalgam fillings, except they tend to be more expensive and slightly more malleable. This can be beneficial to the teeth, as gold expands just like dental tissue when heat or pressure is applied.
The other distinct advantage to gold fillings is that they do not oxidize like some types of fillings. This allows them to last longer.
Gold fillings may be right for you if you want to avoid costly future dental work. The only way to determine this is to visit a dentist such as those with Paramount Dentistry where a comprehensive evaluation of your smile can be performed.
4. Porcelain Fillings
Porcelain fillings are created from ceramic and glass. They’re colored to match your tooth’s natural color, which in turn makes them more appealing to use.
In comparison to metal fillings, porcelain requires less tooth to be removed if they are used as onlays or as fillings, but they require more healthy tissue to be extracted when used as crowns due to the relatively lower strength porcelain exhibits.
Your Filling Choices Matter
The durability of your dental restorations and how much healthy tooth tissue must be removed is highly dependent upon the type of fillings that are used in your mouth. It’s best to thoroughly consult with your dentist before committing to any choice, as each type of dental filling will have a unique effect upon the longevity and beauty of your smile.
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