Guide On Choosing the Right Type of Dental Fillings
What Are Dental Fillings?
They are dental restorations that repair and rebuild damaged and diseased teeth. Dental fillings near you feature different materials that can replace the cracked, broken, decayed, or damaged portion of your natural tooth structure.
How Do Dental Fillings Work?
Dental fillings in West Palm Beach, FL, are only suitable for damaged teeth. Therefore, local anesthesia is paramount for your treatment. It numbs your mouth to ensure you undergo a pain-free procedure.
The dentist near you will begin your treatment by shaving part of your tooth enamel to remove the damaged portion. The amount of tooth structure your dentist removes will depend on the severity of the damage. At John S. Ledakis, DDS, PA, we use a cavity detector to determine how advanced the damage is.
After that preparation, the dentist will pick your filling material of choice to fill the tooth. The filling process aims to seal the tooth to prevent the future entry of bacteria into the inner layers of the tooth extraction near you. After applying the filling, the dentist will use a laser to harden the material, bonding it well with your remaining natural tooth structure.
Different Types of Dental Fillings in Dentistry
The good thing about modern dentistry is that there are options to meet every patient’s needs and preferences. Dental fillings feature various materials, some more common than others. The types include the following:
- Gold fillings – feature gold as the primary component. Gold fillings give a luxurious feeling, which may explain their high costs. These fillings are sturdy, lasting for up to 20 years or longer. They are more ideal for restoring the back teeth than the front ones, typically due to aesthetics.
- Amalgams – are also called silver fillings. They feature a metal alloy of zinc, copper, mercury, and silver as the primary component. They are unsightly because of the metallic color silver. However, they are just as sturdy as gold fillings, perfect for restoring the back teeth. The better news is that they are very affordable compared to gold fillings.
- Composite fillings – are also called white fillings because they feature a tooth-colored composite resin. These fillings are ideal for offering an aesthetically-pleasing solution for restoring natural teeth. However, composites are not nearly as sturdy as metal. Still, they can protect your teeth for between 5 and 10 years.
- Porcelain fillings – are alternatives to composite fillings, offering a natural-looking and aesthetically-pleasing solution for restoring damaged teeth. Porcelain is a much sturdier material than composite, lasting for between 10 to 20 years. They are also comparable to gold fillings when it comes to pricing.
- Glass ionomers – are the most unique types of dental fillings. They feature a glass-like material called acrylic. Dentists typically use them as dental sealants to proactively protect teeth from bacteria that cause dental cavities. Glass ionomers are incredible as they contain fluoride that builds strong teeth.
How Do I Choose the Best Dental Fillings for My Treatment?
Having many options can make it hard to decide which dental filling works best for you. However, with a guide, it should be easier to narrow it down to your ideal choice. Some tips to help are:
- Aesthetics – ensure you choose a dental filling that meets your cosmetic dentistry needs. The last thing you want is to hide your smile because of a conspicuous tooth filling.
- Location of the target tooth – restoring the back teeth is different from the front ones. Prioritize aesthetics when restoring the front teeth. For the back teeth, you should prioritize sturdiness instead.
- Durability – some dental fillings last longer than others. Even though dental care post-treatment affects the longevity of dental restorations, choose a filling material that will last you a long time.
- Your budget – different dental fillings have different price tags. Inquire with your dentist about the cost of your entire treatment for the varying dental fillings. Only decide after accounting for the amount of money you will spend out-of-pocket.
- Liaise with your dentist – after a comprehensive dental exam, your dentist 33407 will know exactly what you need for your treatment. Besides, dental experts have garnered knowledge and experience in dental restorations like tooth fillings.