A Primer On Choosing The Right Dental Fillings

Dental fillings or dental restoration become necessary in cases of tooth decays, damaged tooth and in cases of missing tooth structure. There are a lot of options today when it comes to choosing dental fillings. Dental fillings are being positively used to restore problems such as slightly discolored teeth or minor tooth damages such as chips or minor tooth fractures in order to improve general oral appearance in wake of cosmetic dentistry. The dental fillings are no more required to be just long lasting, cost effective and safe for health but also unnoticeable. Choosing the right dental filling would depend on several factors like the location and degree of decay, the cost of the material and your dentist’s recommendation. Knowing about them can help zero in on one. Dental fillings are broadly categorized as either Amalgam Fillings or Composite Resin Fillings.

Amalgam dental fillings are made out of mercury, silver, copper, and zinc and are shaped to feel natural. But recent studies show that these traditional fillings pose danger. Amalgam dental fillings have been found to release mercury vapor into the body. The American Dental Association maintains that amalgams are safe and since they are the most durable fillings they are still the most popular option. Composite resin fillings are made up of plastic resins. What makes them appealing is the fact that plastic resins render a very natural look as they can be colored or blended to the original color of the patient’s tooth and are not hazardous at all. Glass Ionomer fillings are also the way to go if you want to reduce the time you spend with the dentist and the bill he’s going to hand over to you. They are quick and are also mixed with fluoride to prevent further tooth decay but do not last as long as amalgam fillings. Porcelain when mixed with metal creates a very strong and natural filling but would require two or three sittings at least. A tooth with a very large filling would require a cap or dental crown to protect it from fracturing in the future and a traditional filling would not do in this case. But it is a cost-effective option for the long term.

Good quality dental fillings should be resistant to abrasion, crushing, and chipping .They should be chemically inert and should not react to temperature changes or electrical charges. These are some of the qualities dental fillings can be evaluated on. There are many other options which your oral healthcare provider can make you aware of. All of them differ from the procedures of application and compositions but the basics to choose the best remain the same.