Your Dawson Creek Invisalign® Provider
Do you have a cavity that needs a dental filling? Several different types of materials can be used to complete the task. Gold, porcelain, amalgam, composite and porcelain are some commonly used filling materials. Today, our dentists in Dawson Creek explain the differences between them to help you decide which might be a better option for you.
Fillings for teeth can be made from a number of materials, including gold, porcelain, amalgam and composite resins. In addition to being safe and long-lasting, each of these materials has its own set of characteristics. Depending on your circumstances, we can help you choose the best option for you.
Composite Fillings
When they are placed in a patient's mouth, these plastic tooth-coloured fillings look and feel natural.
Composite fillings match your natural teeth in colour, which allows them to blend with the rest of your smile. These materials are also relatively easy to shape and mould to teeth. Since they unnaturally bond to teeth, your dentist will not have to scrape away as much existing enamel during the preparation process.
To place this type of filling, your dentist will remove decay from the tooth before applying bonding material to the interior of the cavity. Thin layers of composite resin are then poured into the hole. Using a curing light, each layer is hardened into a solid state. The dentist shapes the filling once the final layer of filling has hardened so that it will match the shape of your natural teeth.
Porcelain Fillings
A strong, tooth-coloured dental restoration is created by combining hard and brittle porcelain fillings with metal, which results in a tooth-coloured dental restoration.
A porcelain filling is created in a dental lab and returned to your dentist, who cements it in place in your mouth. It is typically necessary to schedule at least two dental appointments in order to complete the procedure.
Amalgam Fillings
Silver in colour, amalgam fillings are frequently used to fill teeth located at the back of the mouth. They are a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, copper, and tin, among others.
While the silver colour may not be appealing to people who prefer a more natural appearance, they are a long-lasting option for molars that are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear.
Gold Fillings
In order to create a cast gold filling, a model of your tooth must be created. A mixture of gold and other metals, such as silver and copper, is used to create these pieces.
Much like the porcelain fillings, this type of dental filling is made in a dental lab and then returned to your dentist, who cements it into place inside your mouth. As a result, this type of filling typically requires at least two dental appointments to complete.