Fillings
Approximately 92% of adults have experienced a cavity. Cavities occur as a result of tooth decay, and if left untreated, they can severely damage teeth and lead to a decline in oral health. Thankfully, most cavities, especially when caught early, can be easily fixed. Using a routine, restorative dental treatment called a dental filling, also known as a tooth filling, cavities can be repaired painlessly with a variety of anesthesia or sedation options.
What Is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling can be made out of a variety of materials and is used to fill and seal the hole caused by a cavity, preventing decay from spreading throughout a tooth.
Types of Fillings
You are probably most familiar with gold and silver/amalgam fillings, but these are only two of several options you will have if you find yourself with a cavity. Though both gold and amalgam fillings are good options, they also stand out against the pearly whites they are preserving and protecting. Fortunately, there are less obvious alternatives available. Filling options include:
- Amalgam fillings: Amalgam tooth fillings are affordable and durable, able to last 10 to 15 years or longer. Because they are made of silver, they do not match the surrounding tooth and may stand out.
- Gold fillings: Gold tooth fillings are very durable and last at least 10 to 15 years. Though they don’t match the surrounding tooth, some prefer the coloring and shine to that of amalgam fillings. Gold fillings tend to cost more than other materials.
- Composite resin fillings: Composite tooth fillings are made from a mixture of plastic and fine-glass particles. They last at least five years and match the color of your teeth. They generally cost less than gold fillings but more than amalgam fillings, and they can take up to two appointments to complete.
- Porcelain fillings: Porcelain tooth fillings last approximately five to seven years, with a wide range of pricing. They match the color of your teeth and are more resistant to staining than composite fillings.
