Dental fillings are used to treat cavities, broken, and chipped teeth. Your dentist will drill on the cavity-infected area of your tooth to clean it out, and then fill the area. This dental procedure is done for your tooth to restore your tooth’s function.
There are a lot of teeth filling options available today, and choosing a filling that fits you depends on the filling cost, your dental insurance coverage (if you have one), and what kind of filling your dentist recommends for you.
* Amalgam filling is the oldest and common teeth filling used which is made from silver, tin, and mercury materials.
Pros: They are readily available, long lasting, and inexpensive
Cons: It contains mercury which is highly toxic. In addition, metals in the fillings intensify tooth sensitivity depending on the hotness or coldness of the food.
* Composite filling is also a common teeth filling.
Pros: It is natural looking and durable. Tooth with this filling is also less sensitive to food temperature.
Cons: It is more expensive than an amalgam and is susceptible to food stains.
* Porcelain filling is known as ceramic filling. This filling is not attached to the tooth but is shaped and inserted to fit perfectly inside it.
Pros: It is also convenient, natural-looking and long-lasting.
Cons: It may require removal or more healthy parts of the tooth to accommodate this filling. This is more expensive than both the amalgam and the composite fillings.
* Gold filling is the most expensive filling
Pros: It is most durable, highly resistant to corrosion, and never loses its luster.
Cons: It is very expensive and does not look natural on a tooth.
There are many teeth fillings available to choose from. It is important that the advantages, as well as disadvantages, must be weighed and considered before choosing a dental filling that is best for you.