5 Types of Dental Filling Materials That Can Boost Your Smile

With time, teeth can decay due to cracking or poor diet and they will need filling. A dentist may use a cavity-detecting dye or X-ray equipment to determine the extent of the decay. He or she will remove the decay and shape the space to prepare it for filling. Different types of filling come in different shapes to make sure they fit in the affected area impeccably.

Here is a discussion of some of the different material used in teeth filling:

Amalgam fillings                                                                                         

Amalgam is made by combining silver, zinc, copper and mercury. The combination of these components results in the formation of a soft material used to build your teeth back to its original shape. It hardens with time, filling the decay in the tooth. Pure mercury is harmful but when mixed with other components and hardened together, it is locked in the components' structure thus eliminating its toxic nature. Amalgam is sometimes referred to as silver filling. Silver can last for longer periods without decay. It is cheaper and less sensitive to moisture during the filling process.

Composite fillings

This is a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles that is directly or indirectly fitted into the decayed tooth. Direct filling is done by placing a bright blue light that harden the soft mixture of plastic and glass. Indirect filling involves the dentist making the filling from a mold of your tooth and cementing the filling during the next appointment. Composite filling bonds directly to the tooth making it stronger than it would be in an amalgam filling. It replicates the natural look of your teeth, improving your smile tremendously.

Cast gold fillings

This is comprised of a mixture of gold alloy used as inlay and crowns in covering large parts of the tooth. Gold is hard-wearing and can last longer as compared to any other filling material. It has great strength and does not tarnish. This method of filling is expensive and takes time, as the dentist will need to mold the gold to fit in your dental structure perfectly. Nevertheless, you will be left with a comfortable smile.

Glass ionomer fillings

This is made of acrylic and specific component of glass that forms a chemical link with the teeth. Glass ionomer is used in baby teeth due to its frail nature. It provides a restoration bond to the teeth hence its use as an inner liner for other filling materials. Glass ionomer prevents further tooth decay by releasing fluoride to the inner layer of the decay.

Ceramic fillings

The filling is made of porcelain used in implants, inlays, and crowns. The material is stain-resistant and it is hard-wearing and long-lasting as well. They can be colored to match the color of your natural teeth, giving you a great smile.