Exploring Dental Fillings: Types, Materials, and Considerations for Restoration

When decay damages your teeth, a filling can restore their strength and function. The dentist removes bacteria and debris, cleans the area, and then covers the area with a restoration.

The type of restoration used depends on the location and extent of the cavity, cost and insurance coverage, and patient preference.

What is a filling?

A dental filling is used to treat dental caries, more commonly referred to as cavities. This treatment is done by removing decayed material, cleaning the tooth and then filling the hole with a tooth-colored composite resin or a glass ionomer.

There are many different types of tooth-colored dental fillings Freehold NJ. The best type for you will depend on the location and extent of the cavity, cost and what your insurance may cover, as well as aesthetic preference.
Amalgam fillings are made of a combination of mercury and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper. They are often preferred for molars, where chewing takes place, because they are extremely strong and durable. These are also the least costly of all tooth-colored filling materials. However, they are not as attractive and tend to chip or crack over time.

Amalgam

Amalgam, a combination of silver, mercury, tin and copper, has been the most commonly used restorative material in dentistry for over 150 years. Amalgam fillings are strong, durable and can withstand the stresses of biting and chewing.

Historically, amalgam has been considered safe for patients and the environment. Although amalgam may pose a small risk for people with neurological or kidney impairment, the risk to those not suffering from these conditions is very low.

Amalgam is moderately tolerant of moisture and is more durable than direct restorative materials such as composite. It is especially suited to the placement of inlays and onlays as it can help strengthen tooth structure. It also provides better occlusion than direct fillings. In addition, it possesses bacteriostatic properties. Amalgams are less expensive than resin-based composites.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a fine-grained, translucent ceramic that was first developed in China in ancient antiquity. It is often referred to as china in English-speaking countries, although this name may be misleading. The material is more accurately described as true hard-paste porcelain, based on the original recipe first employed by Chinese craftspeople. It uses kaolinite (clay) or feldspar and petuntse, along with other raw materials of varying proportions.
It has a high Mohs scale rating (7 on the hardness scale), making it stronger and more durable than many natural stones. It is also highly resistant to heat, scratches, stains and chemicals. This makes it a popular choice for kitchenware and dinnerware, dental restorations and even electrical insulators. It is also being increasingly used in surfacing applications like countertops, backsplashes and floors.

Plastic

Occasionally, a tooth can require a restoration that is not an amalgam or porcelain filling. In these cases, plastic or composite resins can be used to repair the damaged tooth and give it a natural-looking finish. These materials are also commonly used in a procedure known as dental bonding, where they help to improve the appearance of a tooth, mask defects, close gaps between teeth, and more.

These types of indirect fillings usually take a bit longer to place than direct fillings, but they provide a more secure fit and can even strengthen the remaining tooth structure. They are available in many natural-looking shades and are more durable than amalgam fillings.

Our holistic dentists near West Freehold NJ understand that the metal materials used in conventional dentistry have been linked to a number of unfavorable side effects, such as mercury hypersensitivity. We offer safer alternatives in our office, which is why we only use biocompatible dental implants and other restorations.

Gold

Gold fillings are less common than they were in the past, but they’re still an option. Made of an alloy of gold and other metals, they’re resistant to corrosion in the mouth, and they can withstand heavy biting forces.
The best part is that they can last for decades, if not a lifetime! However, they do require more visits to the dentist Freehold NJ compared to silver amalgam or tooth-colored composite.

To get a gold filling, we’ll drill out the cavity and make an impression of it, which gets sent to a laboratory to fabricate the gold cast. Once it’s ready, we’ll take another appointment to place and cement the gold filling. The procedure is typically painless thanks to modern dental anesthesia. You may experience some soreness afterward, but that’s usually not acute or severe and can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications.