Dentist's Tips: A Guide To Different Filling Materials You Can Choose
You are getting your new filling to take care of a cavity, but are you aware of all your choices? The following guide will show you all the different filling materials you have to choose from. And--with the help of your dentist--hopefully you will find one that works best for you.
1. The Popular Amalgam Option
Amalgam is one of the oldest and most popular types of filling that consists of mostly mercury along with other metals. The reason an amalgam filling has been preferred is because of how inexpensive it is, although it has been in decline because of the color and the mercury content. Some experts and studies have shown that the mercury may seep into your body, causing things like circulatory issues or concentration issues.
Talk to your dentist about the mercury content and see if he or she believes that the amalgam is something to worry about.
2. The Silver Choice
The silver amalgam is another popular choice that also contains some traces of mercury, but it's significantly less than the regular amalgam filling. This composite is made up of mercury, silver, copper, zinc, and tin, which are metals that you do need in small traces. Copper, for example, has been found to keep bacteria from properly growing well; something that should be useful to your oral health.
3. Porcelain Could Be Your Filling
Porcelain is a glass-like material that some opt for, as it does not contain any mercury at all, but the material can become brittle given enough time. The good thing is, porcelain helps stop further decay and does not lend itself to leakage because it can be form-fitted perfectly to your tooth or teeth.
You should also know that metal fillings can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity, which will not happen with porcelain fillings.
4. Going For The Composite Resin Filling
This option is usually used in unison with glass ionomer fillings, as they are best suited to protect your tooth nerve should your doctor need to dig down to expose your nerve. Placing the composite resin filling does not take more than one visit to your dentist, and the filling will be the color of your teeth.
There are other more exotic options, like using gold or pure silver, but these do depend on you and the location of your procedure. Talk to your dentist about your options and what would work best for your particular situation, or contact a local clinic like Carolina Forest Family Dentistry.
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