Understanding dental fillings: Restoring teeth and enhancing oral health

Dental fillings orlando fl are single or mixed metals, polymers, glass, or other materials used to repair or replace teeth. One of the most common applications for fillings is to “fill” a portion of tooth that your dentist has removed due to decay – “a cavity.” Fillings are also used to restore cracked or broken teeth, as well as teeth worn down by usage (such as nail-biting or tooth grinding).

What materials are dental fillings made of?

• Dental filling materials include:
• Gold.
• Porcelain.
• Silver amalgam (mercury combined with silver, tin, zinc, and copper).
• Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored materials made of plastic and glass.

The type of filling that will best meet your needs is determined by the location and extent of the decay, the cost of filling material, your insurance coverage, and your dentist’s suggestion.

Are there advantages and disadvantages to different filling materials?

Yes. The following are the benefits and drawbacks of the various dental fillings orlando fl materials:

Advantages:

Gold: Lasts at least 10 to 15 years, and some feel it has a nice appearance.

Silver fillings (amalgams): Lasts at least 10 to 15 years and are less expensive than composite fillings.

Tooth-colored composite fillings: The shade can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, it adheres to the existing tooth, providing additional stability, it is often used for repairs other than cavity fillings, and it requires less tooth removal than amalgams.

Ceramics/porcelain: Lasts more than 15 years and is more stain resistant than composite resin materials.

Glass ionomer (acrylic and a certain sort of glass): Typically used for fillings below the gum line, it releases fluoride, which can help guard against future tooth decay.

Disadvantages:

Gold: More expensive than other materials, and may necessitate more than one office visit.

Silver: May necessitate the removal of more teeth to make room for the filling, imparts a grayish tint to the surrounding tooth structure, may increase the risk of tooth cracks and fractures due to a greater degree of expansion and contraction, and may cause allergic reactions in certain people.

Tooth-colored composite fillings: Last at least five years (less than the 10 to 15 years of other materials), may chip off tooth depending on location, might cost up to twice as much as amalgams, can take more time to place and/or require additional appointments of best dentist in orlando.

Ceramics: Can be as expensive as gold.

Glass ionomer: weaker than composite resin, more prone to wear and fracture, lasts five years or less, prices comparable to composite fillings.