Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures performed daily at every dental office. They are mainly used to treat cavities. The cavity is cleaned of decay and bacteria and then filled with one of several material options available for this procedure. In this article, we discuss the five main types of dental fillings.

5 Main Types of Dental Fillings

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are made of a material called dental resin composite, which typically is a mixture of resin-based matrix and silica. It is the most popular material for dental fillings. Composite is also used in cosmetic dentistry for dental bonding procedures.

The advantages of composite fillings include:

Composite fillings have a color similar to that of your natural teeth and are not noticeable in the mouth.
When a composite filling is placed, less of the tooth’s structure needs to be removed than when a silver amalgam filling is placed.
Composite fillings are less expensive than gold or ceramic fillings.

Disadvantages of composite fillings:

Composite fillings might be less durable than fillings made from other materials. However, with proper care and good oral hygiene habits, they still tend to last for 7 to 10 years.
Composite fillings might not be advisable for larger cavities as they are less durable under pressure from chewing.
Composite fillings might chip or crack with time or if you chew a lot of hard and crunchy foods.

Regardless of their disadvantages, composite fillings are still considered a reliable and modern method of dental restoration.

Ceramic Fillings

Ceramic fillings, also known as porcelain fillings, are durable and resistant to staining. Due to their tooth-like translucency, ceramic fillings look natural in the mouth and tend to last for around 15 years. However, they are more expensive than composite or silver amalgam fillings.

Silver Amalgam Fillings

Dental silver amalgam is a mixture of liquid mercury, silver, tin, and copper.

The main advantages of silver amalgam fillings include:

Silver amalgam fillings are durable and robust and can last for up to 15 years.
Silver amalgam fillings tend to be less expensive than fillings made of other materials.

Disadvantages of silver amalgam fillings include:

This type of filling is noticeable in the mouth.
Placing silver amalgam fillings might require removing healthy parts of the tooth so that the filling can be secure in its place.
Silver amalgam fillings might cause discoloration of the surrounding teeth.
In some cases, silver amalgam can be a reason for an allergic reaction (mainly to mercury, which is a part of silver amalgam.)
Silver amalgam might expand and contract due to the changes in temperature, potentially leading to tooth cracking or fracturing.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are made of a type of glass material in combination with acrylic. This material is less durable than other types of dental fillings and is even less durable than composite. Therefore, it is typically used for treating baby teeth or for treating cavities below the gumline. The approximate lifespan of glass ionomer fillings is around 5 to 7 years.

Gold Fillings

The name of gold feelings suggests the material they are made of. Currently, gold is not a very popular material for dental fillings because such fillings are pretty noticeable in the mouth. Gold fillings are mainly used to treat teeth at the back of the mouth.

However, this material has certain advantages:

Gold is a very durable material that does not corrode. Dental fillings made of gold tend to last for at least 10 to 15 years or more in some cases.
The strength and durability of gold fillings also ensure that they can withstand the pressure applied by chewing well and for a long time.
Gold typically does not cause allergies.

The main disadvantages of gold fillings include:

Gold fillings tend to be expensive in comparison to, for example, silver amalgam or resin composite fillings.
Gold fillings look unnatural in the mouth. However, some patients choose gold fillings precisely because they like the visual effect they produce.
Gold fillings might require more than one visit to the dental office to place.

Make an Appointment Today

If you experience toothache or sensitivity or notice visual signs of cavities in your teeth, do not hesitate to make an appointment at our dental office in Mission Viejo today. Our specialists will carefully examine your teeth and help you choose the best-suited dental filling material for your case. We look forward to your visit to the Dentist Mission Viejo office.