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Dental Filling
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| • | Gold: Gold fillings are made in a dental lab and then fitted onto the teeth. This material is hypoallergenic and does not irritate your gum. Gold fillings are very durable and can last for 20 years, and in some cases, even more. Since these fillings are extremely strong, they can withstand a huge amount of chewing force and hence, are used to repair the back teeth. However, gold fillings are also the most expensive kind of fillings and their cost can be 10 times higher than amalgam fillings. Additionally, gold fillings set next or opposite to an amalgam filled tooth can lead to galvanic shock. However, this is quite rare. Some people also dislike gold-colored fillings and prefer the restoration work to match their teeth. |
| • | Silver Amalgam: Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of silver and base metals. These are the most popular type of fillings for molar and premolar teeth. Since the filling is metallic, it is very durable and can last for over 15 years, if proper care is taken. One of their biggest advantages is that they are very affordable. Like gold, however, silver fillings may not look aesthetically pleasing and so people prefer to have them placed on their back teeth. They also require removing healthy part of the tooth as silver fillings require more space than gold fillings. The amalgam material may also contract and expand when it comes in contact with hot and cold food that can lead to a higher risk of tooth fracture. About 1 percent of the population is also allergic to mercury in the amalgam. |
| • | Composite: Composite fillings are made from a mixture of plastic and glass. This material can be matched to the color of your natural tooth and is quite aesthetic. Therefore, people prefer composite resin fillings on their front teeth. The resinous material also bonds tightly to the tooth giving the structure more strength. Composite resin sometimes requires less amount of tooth structure to be removed as compared to amalgam. Composite fillings may not be the best material for teeth which are subject to high pressure as they are prone to chipping over time. They are also less stain-resistant and cola, coffee, tea, and tobacco can discolor them. They also only last from three to 10 years. |
| • | Porcelain: Porcelain fillings are indirect fillings that are preformed in dental labs and cemented to your teeth. Porcelain is the most natural-looking filling material and has better stain-resistant qualities than composite resin. Porcelain fillings can last for 15 years. However, their cost is almost as much as gold fillings. |
| • | Tooth sensitivity: Your tooth may be sensitive to heat, cold, air pressure, sweets, and contact immediately after a filling. This sensitivity usually resolves itself after a few weeks. |
| • | Allergies: Allergies to silver amalgam fillings are very rare, but they do exist. Less than 100 people have been reported to have an allergy to mercury in the amalgam. Symptoms of allergic reactions are itching and skin rashes. This can be resolved by replacing the amalgam filling with another material. |
| • | Cracked Filling: Teeth clenching may lead to your dental fillings being worn down before their time. If the seal between the filling and your enamel cracks, infectious bacteria can make its way inside your tooth, damage the pulp, and lead to an abscess. If this happens, you may need a root canal treatment. If you suspect your filling is breaking down, schedule an urgent appointment with us. A regular dental checkup can also identify any weakness in your restorative work, so never miss them. |
| • | Pulpitis: Pulpitis is the inflammation of the dental pulp. This may happen because of repeated fillings on the same tooth or a misdiagnosis that fails to identify the extent of the tooth decay. Pulpitis can be reversed if infection has only reached the nerve endings. However, if the infection has progressed to the pulp, a root canal may be needed. |
Reich Dental Center – RoswellRobin Reich, DDS | Stacey Wingad, DMD | Megan Reich Rihan, DMD Kristin Cooney, DMD Call or Text: 770-992-33531775 Woodstock Rd, Suite 350 Roswell, GA 30075
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A dental filling is one of the most conservative and non-invasive ways to restore a fractured or chipped tooth. At Reich Dental Center – Roswell, one of our doctors will first remove the decay from your tooth, clean and disinfect the cavity, and then fill it with any one of the varieties of filling material.