Do you remember when our mothers constantly warned us about eating too much candy when we were kids? Mothers, indeed, know best, as candies and sweets are a surefire way of getting cavities, which could ruin a perfect smile.
Thankfully, dentists routinely deal with cavities with the help of dental fillings.
Over the years, dental fillings have saved countless teeth, as they close off holes and spaces created by tooth decay. By undergoing a composite filling procedure, you can keep bacteria away and prevent tooth decay from getting worse.
For some time, our choices were limited to traditional fillings made of silver amalgam, which is a mixture of silver, copper, tin, and mercury. However, advancements in technology have given us more options in the form of composite dental fillings, which are made of plastic and glass materials.
Which dental filling should you choose? Let’s take a look at the differences between traditional fillings and composite fillings.
The Pros and Cons of Traditional Fillings
Silver amalgam boasts of the following advantages:
- Stronger resistance to damage
- Lasts for up to 15 years with proper care
- Much cheaper than all other dental filling options
A traditional filling, however, has its share of cons:
- Does not match the color of your teeth
- Requires the removal of more tooth material to accommodate the amalgam
- Mercury content, to which some patients may be allergic or sensitive
- Tendency to expand and contract, which may cause discomfort, pain, or tooth fractures
- Galvanic shock
The Pros and Cons of Composite Fillings
Composite dental fillings are rising in popularity these days for the following reasons:
- Great for front teeth, as their shade or color can match your existing teeth
- Less destruction of tooth material
- Can chemically bond with the tooth structure and support it
For all its benefits, some think twice about getting a composite filling because it has several disadvantages:
- A higher price tag than traditional fillings
- Less durable than silver amalgam, lasting only half as long
- Filling procedure takes longer
- Requires more visits to the dentist
Ceramic Porcelain Fillings
Composite fillings are great if you’re going for tooth-colored options. However, if you want something non-traditional that matches the color of your tooth and is durable at the same time, you might want to opt for ceramic porcelain fillings.
Commonly used for crowns, implants, inlays and onlays, veneers, and orthodontic brackets, ceramic porcelain fillings are better at resisting stains and abrasions than traditional fillings. They’re also touted to last for 20 years, five years longer than the expected lifespan of silver amalgam.
Porcelain fillings can get more expensive than composite options, though. Still, its natural appearance and durability make ceramic porcelain fillings an excellent option.
Before you settle for any type of dental filling, it’s best to talk to your dentist about it first. Your trusted dental professional can recommend which type of filling works best for your specific dental situation. Still, the choice is ultimately yours, so gather what you need to know about dental fillings so you can reach an informed decision.
Dr. Megan Peterson Boyle is the lead cosmetic dentist with Dental Studio 101 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is focused on providing anxiety-free cosmetic dentistry services including Invisalign, dental implants, dental crowns and cosmetic fillings. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and family.
