Which is the most comfortable dental filling?
Dental fillings are effective for restoring decayed, broken, or cracked teeth. The most popular materials for dental filling are gold, silver, porcelain, and glass. The right choice of dental filling depends on your age, budget, level of decay, location of the decaying tooth, and the advice of a professional dental practitioner. Below are the pros and cons of the various dental filling materials.
1. Gold fillings
Gold filling is mixed with copper, nickel, and palladium, among other metals to make a gold alloy. People with smaller cavities to fill can get gold foil restorations instead of going through lengthy, time-consuming inlay fitting procedures. Gold inlays are strong enough to chew food and work well on the molar crowns of people that love clenching and grinding to protect teeth from wear and cracking.
Pros of gold crowns
- Non-corrosive hence lasts long, giving you over 15 years of service
- Strong
- Some patients find it aesthetically appealing in a smile
Cons of gold fillings
- It takes several visits to the dentist to fit
- Costs 10 times more than silver amalgam
- Is not tooth-colored, hence good for the hidden teeth
- Can cause galvanic shock when placed next to silver fillings
2. Silver amalgam
Silver amalgam filling material is a mixture of silver, mercury, tin, copper, and Zinc. It is silver in color hence good for filling posterior teeth. This is the most common filling material in cosmetic dentistry because it is affordable and sturdy. However, it releases mercury vapors which can cause adverse health complications in children below 6 years and allergic reactions in some adult patients.
Pros of silver amalgam fillings
- Heavy and hence aid with chewing
- Does not wear easily
- Strong and sturdy
- Durable, serving up to 15 years
- Cheaper than composite fillings
Cons of silver amalgam crowns
- Likely to expand and contract when taking hot or cold liquids, causing teeth to crack
- Does not match the color of teeth hence not aesthetically pleasing
- Discolor teeth
- The filling process involves the removal of healthy parts of teeth as they require a large space to fit
- The levels of mercury in some patients have been shown to be toxic.
3. Ceramic fillings
Ceramic fillings are manufactured in the lab using porcelain. It can be made to look like your permanent teeth in color but will require several trips to the dentist for filling.
Pros of ceramic filling
- Does not stain easily
- Lasts for over 15 years
- Aesthetically appealing
Cons of porcelain filling
- As costly as gold cast
4. Composite fillings
Composite filling material comprises glass and resin and looks like your natural teeth. It bonds well with the tooth, making it ideal for the restoration of broken teeth.
Pros of composite filling
- These are the most attractive restorations because they are tooth-colored
Cons of composite crowns
- Take long to fill
- Cannot withstand pressure
- More expensive than silver amalgams
- Breaks easily hence not durable
5. Glass ionomers
This filling material, also known as an acrylic dental filling, comprises fluoro aluminosilicate glass powder and acrylic. This material breaks easily and is applied near the gum line or between teeth.
Pros of glass ionomers
- Constantly releases fluoride, protecting the teeth from further decay
- Color-matched to look like your teeth
- Does not require lengthy cavity preparation procedures
Cons of glass ionomers
- Weakest of all dental fillings, lasting for less than five years
- Time-consuming application procedure
Circumstances under which a dentist will remove your teeth
Tooth extraction is part of oral hygiene. However, it is not the only solution to tooth problems. Often, a periodontist, oral surgeon, or general dentist will go for teeth extraction as the last resort. These are the circumstances under which a family dentist would recommend an extraction:
- Tooth decay. Frequent snacking, poor oral hygiene, eating sugary foods, and bacteria in your mouth are the leading causes of caries and gum disease. You can prevent tooth decay through regular brushing, regular dental flossing, regular visits to the dental clinic, and a vaidyagrama ayurveda visit for proper diet.
The early symptoms of tooth decay include staining, sensitivity, toothache, and visible holes in the affected teeth. Some practices that encourage the production of saliva can help your tooth enamel to self-repair and prevent decay. You can talk to your dentist in Mankato MN about the available filling options to prevent further decay. However, excessive decay could lead to a dental abscess, forcing you to have the decayed tooth removed.
- Gum disease causes inflammation of the gums, tissues, and bones surrounding the affected teeth. If left untreated for long, it could cause gum recession, bone damage, or permanent tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria responsible for the gum disease will keep spreading to the neighboring teeth, weakening them. A dentist will perform a surgical procedure to remove the affected tooth and protect the good ones.
- Crowded teeth. Teeth can be so crowded that there is no space for all 32. This problem is often linked to genetics, premature loss of teeth, injuries, poor nutrition, a misaligned jaw, and poor dental care, among other causes. A dentist will remove some teeth to create space for the others, giving you the perfect alignment you need for that perfect smile.
- Accidents. A stay object, trip, or accident could leave your teeth damaged or broken beyond repair, or worse, cause them to fall off. According to studies, Americans lose over 5 million teeth to trauma. In such cases, a dentist will remove a tooth to save it from infections or further damage.
- Medical issues such as radiation treatment may force you to remove some of your teeth for the treatment to work.
- Impaction of wisdom teeth. These third molars can cause a myriad of dental issues. According to statistics, over 5 million Americans prefer to have their wisdom teeth removed than deal with the negative effects of keeping them. Impacted wisdom teeth cause inflammation in the gums, exposing you to infections. A family dentist will often resort to removing the impacted teeth to protect the good ones.
Looking for dental fillings in Mankato, MN? Madison Avenue Dental is the answer
If you are looking for cosmetic dentistry practice in Mankato, Minnesota, visit our family dentistry office on Madison Avenue Mankato, MN 56001. We provide general dentistry services and cosmetic procedures to restore not only your teeth but also your smile. Whether you need teeth whitening services, replacement, custom treatment, or veneers, you can count on us. We have over 15 years of experience in various procedures and our team is always ready for free consultations. Contact us via phone at (507)388-8056 between Mon and Fri or fill out the online contact form on our site to book an appointment.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/crooked-teeth#complications
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4405951/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/why-wisdom-teeth-suck-dentist-dental-health-2018-10?r=US&IR=T
- https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses/ce127/statistics
- https://www.healthline.com/health/gold-crown-tooth#crown-options
