We all are running in this world and remain busy even so busy that we forgot to brush our teeth on a daily basis. What happens next is that bacteria and germs attack our teeth. After a while the plaque sets in and now, they start eating our teeth that often ends up damaging the surface of our teeth.
This condition increases sensitivity and we feel pain whenever we eat hot, cold, and sweet. We are left with no choice, we go to the dentist and he recommends dental fillings for healthy teeth for a healthy life.
Dental fillings help to restore our teeth by using single or multiple materials such as metals, plastic glass, ceramics, etc. Dental fillings help to restore our teeth by using single or multiple materials such as metals, plastic glass, ceramics, etc.
Dentists fill these holes after removing a cavity. Another most famous use of filling is when a person does an excessive nail-biting or grinding of his teeth, he breaks or cracks his teeth so filling also helps to fill these broken and cracked teeth.
There are different kinds of fillings that prevent your teeth from further damage and we are going to discuss them below
Table of Contents
6 Common Teeth Filling Materials
There are several teeth filling materials available in the market. They can be filled with
- Gold
- Porcelain
- Silver amalgam
- Tooth-colored
- Plastic
- Composite resin fillings.
Now let us help you to choose which is suitable for you. We will begin with the most durable filling which is gold.
Gold
Gold fillings are also known as inlays or onlays, they are made of a mixture of gold, copper, and other metals. This type of dental filling is the most strong and durable filling that lasts for more than 30 years but it is quite expensive and not all people can purchase this so we have some other less expensive options that also protect your teeth. If you are going for gold dental fillings make a time schedule out of your routine because it requires more than 1 visit to place as they require the dental impression.
Porcelain
Another dental fillings option that helps to fill up your cavity and reduce your teeth sensitivity is a porcelain filling. This filling is made up of oxygen and silicon that have been added to the non-crystalline glass. The best fact is you can shade it to your tooth color.
According to the top reviewed dentist in Islamabad, Dr. Tashfeen khattak “Porcelain filling usually lasts for 10 to 15 years and sometimes lasts for many years again it depends on your eating habits.” It is common in a dental practice when you have a large cavity in your tooth and it requires copying the dental shape to fill up the dental filling.
You pay multiple visits to the clinic because it requires a coating of porcelain and then it becomes the hard surface to protect your teeth.
Silver Amalgam
Silver amalgam also referred to as a silver filling, this silver amalgam is made up of silver-coated material that is used to fill the cavities and surface of the tooth. It is made up of two equal parts. One is liquid mercury, and the second is a powder that includes silver tin, copper, zinc, and other metals.
This is the most widely used filling In dental practice that helps you fill the tooth cavity and make your treatment effective, safe, and sound. Silver amalgam fillings are safe for adults and children over the age of 6.
Tooth-Colored
The tooth-colored filling provides good durable resistance to damage and it is useful for small to medium size filling. Thi filling can either be used on front or back teeth because they require moderate pressure to chew.
A tooth-colored filling is made up of glass and plastic mixture. This blends to match with enamel when you smile. As such they are not made up of metal but they are durable. They can last for 10 to 12 years before replacement.
Plastic
A plastic filling is also known as a white filling. Plastic filling or any other filling is not made up of 100% plastic. But this plastic filing is a mixture of both plastic and resin. Resin in plastic filling gives you a pleasurable and natural appearance that matches your teeth.
The procedure of plastic filling may take only 20 minutes and it lasts for 7 to 10 years.
Composite Resin Filling
This is also the best option for filling as composite filling invisibly matches your own teeth and makes you smile beautiful. This filling gives you a more natural appearance than other fillings. This filling gives you an opportunity to customize the color of your filling so if you want it to match your tooth color, go for it.
This filling lasts for 5 to 7 years however the stability of composite resin filling depends on some factors such as its location in the mouth. If it’s on your front teeth it will stay for a few years only.
Option of Temporary Filling
You might need a temporary filling and you will be confused about why I need a temporary filling so these are the complete descriptions that will remove your confusion.
- If you are going for a gold filling that requires more than 1 visit then the dentist will use a temporary visit that will work until your next visit.
- If you are following a root canal then again you have to pay for visits and you face ongoing procedures that’s why you may require a temporary filling
- Or if you are seeking emergency dental treatment such as tooth pain.
Temporary fillings are not meant to last. This filling usually falls out within one month and cracks.
Things You Should Consider
Dental fillings help you to protect the surface of your tooth and it helps you to fill the cavities. There are different types of teeth filling materials that are available in the market which range in price to durability. If your dental fillings fall out, do not wait as it can cause more tooth decay and it will increase the tooth pain. In case of any complications please visit your nearest and best dentist in Lahore.