Tuesday, January 6, 2015

White Fillings vs. Silver

If you have to get a filling, you and your dentist have lots of materials to choose from. Before your appointment, get up to speed on your options.

Fillings That Look Like Your Teeth

Composite fillings are the most widely-used dental filling material. They’re made of glass or quartz in resin.
Advantages: Your dentist can closely match the color of a composite filling to the color of your surrounding natural teeth.
Disadvantages: Just like your own teeth, composite fillings can stain or discolor over time.
Your dentist may consider a composite filling if the cavity is small to medium-sized, or if the affected tooth gets a lot of chewing action. These may also be a good choice for people who are afraid of dental work, since a composite can be bonded in place, which means less drilling.


Fillings That Release Fluoride

The newer options for dental fillings include glass ionomers, made of acrylic acids and fine-glass powders.
Advantages: Glass ionomer fillings can be colored to blend in with surrounding natural teeth. Plus, they can be designed to release small amounts of fluoride, which helps prevent decay.
Disadvantages: These fillings can fracture, so they aren’t appropriate for chewing surfaces.
Because of their fragile nature, dentists may suggest this type of filling for cavities near the gum line or to fill between teeth.


Crowns That Look Like Your Teeth

When you need a crown, inlay, or veneer, the go-to is typically porcelain, ceramic, or another glass-like material.
Advantages: The color closely matches natural teeth. The components are  durable and very hard.
Disadvantages: Porcelain restorations require several dentist visits and can cost more than some other filling options.
Dentists choose porcelain for veneers because it can be formed into thin shells that fit over enamel, the outer surface of your teeth.

 

Affordable, Long-lasting Fillings

Dentists have used amalgam to fill cavities for more than a century. These fillings are alloys that combine silver, tin, copper, and mercury.
Advantages: They’re are durable and long-lasting. Plus, amalgam is one of the least expensive materials.
Disadvantages: Amalgam is silver-colored, so fillings will show. Cavities filled with amalgam are often temporarily sensitive to hot or cold.
Some people may have concerns about the safety of mercury in amalgam, but the American Dental Association considers this material safe.


Affordable Crowns, Fixed Bridges, and Partials

“Silver” fillings are actually made of base metal alloys that look like silver. They are typically used for crowns, fixed bridges, and partial dentures.
Advantages: Silver fillings are strong and resistant to fracture and wear. They are also relatively inexpensive.
Disadvantages: Cavities filled with silver may be sensitive to heat or cold. Metal alloys don’t match natural teeth.

Gold Crowns Resistant to Tarnishing

Gold fillings are indeed made of gold, combined with other metals. They are typically used for inlays, crowns, and fixed bridges.
Advantages: Gold fillings are strong and highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.
Disadvantages: The metallic color doesn’t match natural teeth, so gold is most often used for back teeth or cavities that don’t show.

15 comments:

  1. I didn't know there were so many choices when it comes to choosing fillings. I need to get some cavities filled and I think I would like to get white fillings. I like that no one can look into your mouth and see that you have had cavities fixed. http://www.scogginsdds.com/services.html

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  2. Will the quarts and resin wear down over time? I was trying to figure out what the filling was made of because it is pretty strong and it has a different texture to it. They also had this light gun which I had no idea what it did or the other gun they had. It was almost like some sort of glue thing. I wanted to ask them but I couldn't really talk about that because I was numb. http://www.southdaledentaloffice.com

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  3. Thanks for the information! Unfortunately, I'm going to be needing a filling soon, and I've been wondering about what my options are. I've had silver fillings up until now, but I'm interested in getting a white filling. I think it's worth risking the discoloration you talk about if it means a more natural look. Ultimately I'll need to talk to my dentist about this, of course, but I appreciate this comparison.

    Linwell Park Dental Centre

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  4. Thanks for your article about the difference between white and metal fillings. Amalgam (IE metal fillings) have been used for a significant amount of time, like you mentioned. However, tooth colored fillings are becoming very popular and affordable these days. I have some ceramic fillings, and you can't tell the difference. Talk to your dentist about the options available for your fillings. http://www.lynncreekdental.ca/our_products_and_services.html

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  5. Very nice post,its quite different from other posts. Thanks for sharing about Dental Filling Treatment.

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  6. thanks for your information because so many filling option to u tell that thanks
    White Fillings Greensborough

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  7. I am really appreciate of your post. Thanks for the nice article for more details visit White Fillings Greensborough

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  8. Thanks for sharing this info about filling.

    Porcelain Fixed Bridges

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  9. This type of glass material work using boom lift, its ok for customer side react more satisfaction and their refered boom lift rental machine most of company and buying refered to Sendhamarai Engineering.

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  10. Just got my silver fillings removed how could they do this to people makes me sick how people would do anything for money you cant trust nobody.

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  11. What is a tooth-colored filling?
    Tooth-Colored Fillings Tooth-colored fillings are made of a blend, or “composite,” of plastic resin and silica fillers. These substances mimic many of the qualities of natural tooth structure, such as wear-resistance and translucency. Dental composites also help strengthen teeth .Jain Dental Clinic promises to deliver quality dental care treatment in Indirapuram, Dentist in East Delhi

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  12. Thanks for taking the time to share this information on white fillings vs silver. This article had such great detail throughout. Have a great rest of your day.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Great read! If you're considering dental fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, check out tooth colored filling in Nerul. These fillings offer both functionality and a natural appearance.

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