If you are a bruxer and you need a filling in one of your back teeth, your dentist may suggest a metal filling. Metal fillings can be gold or silver amalgam. Silver amalgam are the most popular because they are cheaper than gold but just as strong. Silver amalgam is a mixture of silver, tin, and copper bound together with mercury. This “amalgam” or mixture provides a strong and long-lasting restoration. However, it is not one you would want to use on your front teeth, because the silver filling will mar your smile.
Tooth colored fillings are more often than not, the filling of choice for anterior (front) teeth. That’s because the composite resin material is naturally white and can be tinted to blend in with your dentition, making them far more esthetically pleasing silver fillings. Composite resin fillings are a combination of glass and plastic creating a strong material that looks like a natural tooth. They require less removal of your natural tooth structure than metal fillings, and because they are bonding to the inside of your tooth, they strength your teeth as well.
When it comes time to choose a filling, your dentist will help you decide based on where your tooth is located and other important factors.
If you have developed multiple concerns with the appearance of your smile, then you should…
When you have unsightly stains on your teeth, this could be a source of embarrassment.…
When was the last time you saw your dentist? Typically, it is recommended that you…
If you have fractured or chipped a tooth due to an accident, you should have…
When you have a cavity, prompt treatment with a filling can repair the area and…
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems that patients in the United States…