Types of Filling Materials Available
First of all, people can choose from a variety of materials for fillings. There are a number of choices available. Should you decide to go with gold, the main advantage will be the durability (which can range between ten and fifteen years), aesthetics (superior to those of silver), and strength. The downside is that gold is expensive, it requires a minimum of two office visits, and due to its color, it may not be pleasing to the eye.
Amalgams are a good choice for people who want less-expensive dental fillings. These are durable, can withstand chewing forces, and again, they are less expensive compared to composite fillings. Yet as with gold, the drawbacks can be poor aesthetics, discoloration, and the destruction of tooth structure. Oftentimes a portion of the tooth will have to be removed in our Fort Collins family dentistry clinic to accommodate the filling.
Tooth-colored composite fillings have the advantage of aesthetics, they don’t require a big part of the tooth structure to be removed, are versatile, and they also bond chemically to the tooth. In addition, whether you use teeth whitening or not, the color can be matched perfectly. Unfortunately, composites are not that durable (lasting around five years). Plus, they can chip and are twice as expensive as amalgams.
Ceramic is a good option for many people though because it resembles the natural color of teeth and such dental fillings can last up to fifteen years. Their cost though is close to that of a gold filling, which is quite high.
There are many types of dental fillings people can go with and it all depends on your budget and personal preference. Our local dentistry staff at Shore’s Family Dentistry will be more than happy to answer all of your dental filling questions. Contact us today with any questions about cavity fillings or to make an appointment with one of our dentists in Fort Collins