A Look At Your Choices In Cavity Fillings
Posted on: 9 March 2023
If you have a cavity in one of your teeth, your dentist will probably want to fill it to keep it from getting bigger and to keep you from having pain. A filling is used to fill up the hole that's created when decay is removed from your tooth. Without a filling, air could reach your nerve and cause tooth pain or your tooth could get infected.
There are a few types of cavity fillings you can choose from. You might make your selection on cost or the way the filling looks. Here's more information about different types of cavity filling.
Gold Fillings Are Durable And Decorative
You might like a gold filling because of the beauty of gold. Even though you might be attracted to gold because of its glamorous appearance, you'll be making a good choice based on durability. Gold is strong and can withstand the strong force of chewing. The main disadvantage of gold fillings is that they are expensive.
Silver Fillings Are The Most Affordable
If your budget controls your choice of cavity filling, then silver amalgam is a good option. These fillings are common and have been used for decades. These are made of silver and a number of other metals, so if you have a metal allergy, let your dentist know so they can determine if this filling is right for you.
Silver fillings are durable and last a long time. Just like gold, silver fillings are a good option for chewing teeth since they can withstand the forces of grinding and chewing.
Porcelain Fillings Look Natural
A ceramic or porcelain filling is another high-end filling option. The benefit of one of these fillings is that it looks the most natural. If your cavity is in a front tooth, a porcelain filling would blend right in and not be noticeable.
These fillings do a good job of resisting stains, but they're not as tough as gold and silver fillings. You may not want an expensive porcelain filling in a back chewing tooth because it might not last as long as other fillings would.
Resin Matches Your Tooth Color
Resin fillings match your tooth color as porcelain fillings do. However, resin is a plastic material, so it doesn't reflect light and looks as natural as porcelain. On the upside, resin is more affordable. These fillings are a popular choice and may be what you want if you think silver fillings are unattractive.
If you have dental insurance, your insurance may pay toward your filling. However, the payment may max out at the cost of the least expensive silver option. If you want gold, resin, or porcelain, you may need to pay the extra cost yourself. Given all these options in cavity fillings, you're sure to find one that's suitable and that you'll be happy with for many years.
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