Now open for all services Book Online. Today, however, you have a more appealing option. Composite fillings are tooth colored, and the results are so great that people with metal fillings are starting to proactively replace their metal fillings with composite ones. Replacement is a good option for certain patients but is something that should be carefully considered. There are three common options for fillings: Amalgam, glass ionomers, and composite.
Amalgam fillings are composed of silver, copper, tin, and mercury. Altogether, these elements form a very strong and stable filling material. Amalgam fillings are durable, relatively resistant to wear and tear, and are slightly cheaper than other options. Glass ionomers are tooth-colored to a certain extent.
They are comprised of a mixture of fine fluoride, glass powder, and organic acid that forms a solid restorative material that releases fluoride. Finally, composites are a mixture of finely ground glass particles and acrylic resin that produces a very tooth-like restorative material.
Composite fillings are durable, resistant to fracture and other wear and tear, and attractive. Composite fillings have been on the rise since around For a relatively new development in mainstream dental practices, composite fillings have quickly risen in popularity for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, patients appreciate composites for the improvement of their dental appearance. Composites blend in with your teeth and is a drastic difference from the stark contrast of metal ones.
Composite fillings have many other advantages as well. Not only do they provide natural looking, well-blended fixes, but composites do not contain mercury, actively strengthen the tooth, and require less removal of the tooth during placement.
Although there is research being conducted on the safety of amalgams, some patients would feel safer simply replacing their metal amalgams all together. When the traditional silver fillings are inserted, they are packed into an area of your tooth. As the filling wears down, it exposes new areas on the tooth which can eventually become home to harmful decay-causing bacteria. If the cavity wears out and the decaying tooth is not detected until the problem worsens, you may require a crown to be placed on your tooth, rather than just replacing the filling.
Alternatively, composite fillings are bonded to your teeth, rather than packed in so they are expected to last longer without the fear of tooth decay resulting from worn down fillings.
Composite fillings are designed to fill in the cavity and in order to do this, they bond directly to the tooth. The tooth along with its composite filling becomes one functional unit. Amalgam fillings are not attached or bonded to the tooth and can become worn down over time. Due to their different characteristics and abilities, amalgam fillings do not form a single unit with the tooth which can be detrimental to the tooth under certain situations.
This means your dentist only needs to remove the decayed portion of your tooth. Stronger teeth — although the amalgam filling by itself is stronger than a composite filling by itself, composites bond to the teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to fracturing. Over time, amalgam fillings can break your teeth. Durable — Composite fillings are very durable and can last for up to 15 years. No Harmful Materials — Most composite fillings are made from polymers, mixed with fillers such as silica, barium or quartz.
These fillers are what give the filling its strength. Related Posts 29 Mar. Did you know that young children are more at risk from tooth decay than adults? The enamel on baby teeth Are you exploring the option of a dental bridge?
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All Rights Reserved. Dental amalgam is often used to fill large areas of decay on back teeth. Generally, replacing metal dental fillings for cosmetic reasons should only be done after careful consideration and if your dentist feels it won't compromise the long-term health of your teeth.
Likewise, there's no need to replace metal dental fillings because of concerns about mercury in your fillings. If you're unsure whether you need to replace your metal dental fillings, ask your dentist to explain the options and help you understand what's best in your case. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
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