I would like a filling – what varieties are there?

There are a variety of various fillings, together with:

What are amalgam fillings?

Amalgam fillings are silver colored. They’re made by combining mercury and a silver alloy (50% mercury, 35% silver, and 15% tin, copper and different metals). Amalgam is lengthy lasting and exhausting sporting and has been utilized in fillings for at the least 150 years. It’s economical to make use of and it isn’t uncommon for an amalgam filling to final 15 to twenty years.

This type of filling is often used on the again ‘chewing’ enamel. Earlier than the filling might be positioned, the dentist should put together the world by eradicating all of the decay and shaping the cavity to carry the filling in place. If the tooth is badly damaged, your dentist may have to put a small stainless-steel pin to assist safe the filling.

Are there any dangers from amalgam fillings?

The mercury in dental amalgam is just not toxic as soon as it’s mixed with the opposite supplies within the filling. Its chemical nature modifications in order that it’s innocent.

Analysis into the protection of dental amalgam has been carried out for over 100 years. To this point, no respected ‘managed’ research have discovered a connection between amalgam fillings and any medical drawback.

What are composite fillings?

Composite fillings are sturdy, however will not be as exhausting sporting as amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are tooth colored and are constructed from powdered glass quartz, silica or different ceramic particles added to a resin base. After the tooth is ready, the filling is bonded onto the world and a light-weight shone onto it to set it. The dentist will select a shade to match your personal enamel, though over time staining can occur.

What are glass ionomer fillings?

Glass ionomer fillings type a chemical hyperlink with the tooth. They might additionally launch fluoride, which helps to forestall additional tooth decay. One of these filling is pretty weak. Due to this, they’re often solely used on child enamel and ‘non-biting’ surfaces equivalent to across the ‘necks’ of the enamel. Little preparation is required because the filling bonds on to the tooth.

What are gold inlays and onlays?

These can be utilized in most areas of the mouth. An inlay is small and positioned inside the biting floor of the tooth. An onlay can cowl a bigger space of the tooth. Gold is essentially the most long-lasting and hard-wearing filling materials and can final for a few years. A bonus of gold is that it doesn’t tarnish and has nice energy.

One of many variations between gold and different filling supplies is that the gold filling is made in a laboratory. Your dental group will often take an impression of the ready cavity and ship it to the laboratory for the technician to make the inlay or onlay. Within the meantime, a brief filling might be positioned within the cavity. After the gold inlay or onlay has been made, your dentist will repair it in place with dental cement. One of these filling is dearer.

What are porcelain inlays?

Your dental group can now use digital expertise (known as CADCAM) to design and put together completely fitted porcelain inlays in only one or two visits. Porcelain inlays may also be made in a laboratory however this may want at the least two visits to your dentist. Porcelain might be exhausting sporting and lengthy lasting. It may also be colored to match your pure tooth. Once more, any such filling might be fairly costly.

The place can I get extra data?

Your dental group will advise you on what sort of filling materials is suited to your scenario. Discuss to them if you want a selected kind of filling materials equivalent to tooth-coloured fillings.

At all times ask for a therapy plan and a written estimate earlier than beginning any therapy.


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If you happen to want free and neutral recommendation about your oral well being, contact our Dental Helpline by e mail or name 01788 539780 (native fee name within the UK).

Our Dental Helpline is totally confidential and has helped virtually 400,000 folks since opening over 20 years in the past. Contact our specialists by phone, e mail or on-line enquiry, Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00.