What Type Of Dental Filling Should You Use?
Do you have a cavity that you need to have filled but you are wondering what your options are for the filling material? If so, you'll want to know the following information about them.
Why Is A Filling Necessary?
When you have a cavity in one of your teeth, there is decay that has formed in the top layer of your tooth and it needs to be removed. By doing so, you are removing that top layer of enamel and leaving the tooth exposed to even more problems. That's why a filling material is put into the tooth to give it protection since that part of the tooth will be lacking the enamel that you need.
What Are Metal Fillings?
A metal tooth filling is also called an amalgam or silver filling. It has been used for many years and is an incredibly durable material. While the material has mercury in it, the material is safe to be used in your teeth without any risk to your health. The reason that mercury is used is that the material is soft and is easy to press into the tooth so that it can form into the proper shape. The material will then harden so that it can withstand the pressure from normal chewing.
A metal filling will not bond to the tooth itself. Instead, the dentist will need to create a small lip within the tooth for the filling material to fill. This allows the metal filling to latch onto the tooth so that it will not fall out.
Many people use metal fillings even though they do not look that great because they are a very strong material to be used in the rear molars. While it may not be a great choice for a tooth that is visible when smiling, most people will never see it when the filling is placed in a molar.
What Are Resin Fillings?
A resin filling is made out of different materials, such as silica and powdered quartz. It creates a filling material that is white in color and will match the natural color of your teeth. Unlike metal fillings, there is no toxicity within the filling material, which makes it completely safe to use in your mouth.
A nice benefit of a resin filling is that it will bond to the surface of the tooth by using a curing light. This means that less natural tooth material needs to be removed for the filling material to stick to the tooth. Resin fillings will be great for those cavities on the front surface of the tooth that can be seen since they'll blend in and require minimal removal of healthy tooth material.
Talk to your dentist today to learn more.
Share