Choosing the Right Fillings for You

What Type of Fillings Are Right for Your Teeth?

Unlike decades past, dental patients now have a number of choices when it comes to the materials dentists can use for fillings. However, with so many options to choose from, how can patients make sure they are choosing the right material for them and their oral health? Consulting with a dentist is generally the best way to determine what filling material is best suited for the patient’s specific needs, but having some knowledge of these materials before the appointment can be beneficial as well.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are the most common filling materials used by dentists, and these fillings are made of quartz or glass resin. These types of materials are most often used on teeth that do a lot of chewing like molars or if the patient’s cavity is between small and medium sized. Additionally, composite fillings are good for those patients afraid of dental work since these fillings require less drilling and for those patients who want fillings that look like their natural teeth.

Fillings with Glass Ionomers

One of the newer materials used for fillings actually release fluoride into the mouth and include glass ionomers. These filling materials are made of fine glass powders and acrylic acids. There are both pros and cons to using these types of fillings – one of the pros is that they can be colored to blend in with the teeth around the filling, and another is that the release of fluoride helps prevent decay. On the flip side, some of the cons include that the fillings can break and are not a good choice for chewing teeth – it is most often used on a cavity near the gum line or as a means to fill in-between teeth.

Crowns

For those who need an inlay, crown, or veneer, the materials typically used include ceramic, porcelain, or a glass-like material. The pros of using crowns include the material’s color very closely matching the other teeth and the materials that are used generally hold up to wear and tear for a long period of time. There are cons as well, which include having to visit the dentist several times in order to get the tooth fully restored with porcelain, and it is often more costly than some of the other options. Dentists choose porcelain most often for veneers since they form thin shells over the existing teeth.

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