Dental fillings are an effective way to reinforce and repair badly damaged teeth and can help you avoid resorting to bridges or crowns. However, not all fillings are created equal, and in some cases, you may be able to choose the type of filling(s) you receive.
Most people are familiar with the silvery appearance of amalgam fillings, but you may also be able to choose fillings from discreet, tooth-colored composite resin. Each of these types of tooth filling comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so familiarizing yourself with these pros and cons can help you make the right choice.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Amalgam Fillings
Dentists have used dental amalgam to restore damaged teeth for well over a
century, and amalgam fillings still have merits when compared to more modern, composite resin fillings. For starters, they are extremely durable. Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals very resistant to wear, and a well-maintained amalgam filling can last for 10-15 years before repairs or replacement becomes necessary.
Fillings from dental amalgam are also considerably cheaper than their composite counterparts. This can be a boon if you need to repair a damaged tooth on a tight budget or you have widespread tooth decay and require fillings in several teeth. Some dental insurance carriers will only cover the cost of amalgam fillings, especially for posterior teeth, and choosing composite fillings may lead to higher bills or co-pays.
Unfortunately, amalgam fillings aren't exactly discreet. The silvery metal alloy used to create them does not blend in with the color of the surrounding tooth enamel and can cause the living portions of the repaired tooth to become dark and discolored over time. Amalgam fillings are particularly noticeable on incisors and other anterior teeth.
Dental amalgam also contains mercury, a toxic metal. The amalgam creation process neutralizes the toxic effects of the mercury content, but it can still cause unpleasant allergic reactions in a very small number of dental patients. If you have any known allergies to metal, you might want to avoid amalgam fillings entirely.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composite Fillings
Dental composites are from a mixture of plastic resins and ceramic fillers, which create a malleable substance that hardens over time. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings closely mimic the look and color of healthy, undamaged tooth enamel, and composite fillings from a skilled dentist can be practically invisible.
Dental composites are also highly flexible and mold themselves as they harden to fit the contours of the damaged tooth. This allows dentists to insert composite fillings without removing large portions of healthy enamel and dentin from the damaged tooth, further improving the cosmetic appearance of the repaired tooth.
These advantages mean that composite fillings are ideal for restoring the strength and appearance of damaged anterior teeth, such as incisor teeth. These teeth are clearly visible to others when you smile, laugh, or speak.
Composite fillings can also restore damaged posterior teeth, but be warned - dental composites are softer than dental amalgams and more vulnerable to wear. Chewing foods places a lot of physical stress on your posterior teeth and can cause composite fillings to wear out more quickly. However, you should still expect a composite filling to last five to seven years.
Creating a composite filling is also a complex, time-consuming process, and you may need to make several trips to your dentist before a composite filling can be installed. If you don't have a comprehensive dental insurance plan, costs for repeat appointments can add up quickly. By contrast, an amalgam filling can usually be created and inserted in a single appointment.
Good arguments exist for both amalgam and composite fillings. Your dentist will help you decide which type of filling is best for your situation, but if you have any more questions about different types of dental fillings, contact the experts at
Advanced Dental Care.
