Beyond Amalgam Fillings: Further Options For The Discerning Dental Patient
Posted on: 9 February 2015
The most common dental filling material is amalgam, which is a combination of silver, copper, mercury and tin. One of the reasons many people prefer it is that it is strong enough to withstand constant chewing pressure; it is also relatively inexpensive. However, this is not the only type of dental filling available in the market today. Other viable options to consider include the following:
Glass Ionomers
This type of filling is made from acrylic acids, fine glass powder, and fluoride. The fillings release the fluoride slowly, which can be useful for preventing further teeth decay. They can also be colored to mimic your natural teeth color.
The main drawback of glass fillings is that they are prone to fractures due to the nature of the main material. For this reason, they are not suitable for use on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Your dentist may only advise the use of glass ionomers if your decay is located between your teeth or near the gum line. They also don't last very long – expect to use them for about five years or so.
Composite
The major components of composite fillings are plastic and glass. They are capable of withstanding moderate chewing pressure, so you should have that in mind when using them in your back teeth.
One of the reasons people love them is that they closely resemble natural teeth, but they are also relatively more expensive than amalgam. Unfortunately, this has also made some insurance companies classify them as a cosmetic treatment, so they don't cover them.
Gold
Gold fillings are made of a combination of real gold, as well as other metals such as silver, copper, and platinum. This is done to strengthen the filling because pure gold is too soft for dental work. Here are some of the following advantages of gold:
- doesn't corrode
- durable
- Strong
- Does not fracture easily
- Can be given a very smooth finish
However, it is not all good news for gold fillings because, for one, it doesn't match the color of natural teeth. This means you can only use it if you don't mind the color contrast or if you use it on your back teeth where it won't show. Then there is also the most obvious disadvantage – it is a precious metal, so it is very expensive.
These are some of the dental filling alternatives that you can discuss with your dentist. Make your decision based on your dentist's advice, as well as the cost, location of decay and how long you expect the treatment to last. For more information or advice, contact a business such as Wright Center For Orthodontics.
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