Categories: Composite Fillings

Types of Tooth Fillings: When Are Each Recommended?

Learning about your options for tooth fillings is a great idea. No longer do you have to settle for the traditional metal fillings; instead, you now have the ability to choose the type of tooth filling you want for treating your tooth cavities. According to the American Dental Association, when it comes to having a cavity filled, it is important to know that you have the right to decide on the filling material.

About tooth fillings for teeth

Understanding your choices for tooth fillings is something you need to do when you need to have a cavity filled. Tooth fillings help restore a tooth when decay is present, a necessary procedure because untreated cavities can result in tooth loss. Fillings are also used to repair teeth that are cracked or fractured, as they help make teeth stronger. If you currently have one or more teeth in need of a tooth filling, be sure to make a timely dental appointment to avoid a potential tooth extraction or root canal.

Types of tooth fillings

The list below includes popular types of tooth fillings that dental patients are choosing nowadays.

Metal fillings

Also known as silver fillings and amalgam fillings, metal fillings are made using a mix of metals. This includes metals like mercury, silver, tin and copper, which dental professionals have been using for many years. While metal fillings are strong and durable, they are also noticeable. When are metal fillings recommended? Metal fillings are ideal for treating large cavities in teeth that are located in the back of the mouth.

Tooth-colored fillings

Also known as composite resins, tooth-colored fillings are quite durable. This is because they contain a mix of fillers, which makes this a strong filling option. It can be used to fill cavities on the front teeth or the back teeth, making it versatile. When are tooth-colored fillings recommended? They are recommended when a dental patient is in need of a filling that can hold up to the moderate pressure that comes from chewing food.

Gold fillings

Gold fillings are also often called inlays or onlays. This type of tooth filling is made using a mix of gold, copper, and other types of metals. Gold has been used by dental professionals for many years, mainly due to the fact that it is both solid and long-lasting. When are gold fillings recommended? They are recommended when a tooth cavity is located in a high-stress chewing area.

Are you in need of tooth fillings?

If you have cavities, you get to choose your tooth fillings, as cavities need to be filled as soon as possible in order to prevent a tooth from getting worse. When you have a cavity, it means that your tooth has some level of decay. This will not stop until you treat the tooth. If you do not treat a tooth that is in decay, it will continue to get worse until it destroys the tooth. Ready to stop the decay?

Request an appointment here: https://www.johnbburgessdds.com or call John B. Burgess, DDS at (865) 321-9505 for an appointment in our Oak Ridge office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Composite Fillings in Oak Ridge, TN.

Recent Posts

Tooth-Colored Dental Filling Options

Tooth-colored dental fillings are the popular way to fill up cavities these days. Silver amalgam fillings have been the norm for the past 150 years, but a lot has changed since better alternatives emerged. Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury which is now known to be toxic to the body. It also has a grey color…

What Materials Are Used In Dental Fillings?

Before we get into our discussion of the materials used for dental fillings, it is important to know what they are used for. Fillings are used to replace parts of teeth that have been affected by cavities, cracks, or damage from nail-biting or teeth grinding. There are various materials that fillings are made of. Read…

3 Tips For Extending The Longevity Of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are the perfect resolution to having a cavity and preventing more tooth decay. However, they do not last forever. If you opt to pay for the more expensive cast gold or porcelain fillings, then you are looking at up to 15 years before they may need to be replaced.Start taking care of your…

Common Misconceptions About Dental Fillings

Going to the dentist has never been on anyone’s fun to-do list, and dental fillings have always been associated with needles and pain, and in today’s world, those ideas can not be further from the truth. The medical world has changed dramatically over the years, and going to the dentist is nothing now compared to what…

Dr. Burgess

Share
Published by
Dr. Burgess

Recent Posts

A General Dentist Shares What You Should Know About Plaque and Tartar

General dentists are the best resource to refer to when it comes to plaque and…

2 weeks ago

Caring for Your Dental Crown: Tips for Long-Term Maintenance

A dental crown can protect the remaining dental structure. It can restore and protect the…

2 months ago

Are Dental Veneers Right for You? Explore Your Options

Minor flaws in your teeth might make you hide your smile. If so, dental veneers…

3 months ago

How a Restorative Dentist Can Help After a Traumatic Accident

Many people can avoid the need for restorative dentist through good oral hygiene. However, accidents…

4 months ago

Dentures Causing Sore Spots in Mouth: Denture Adjustment Needed

If you have sore spots in your mouth, it might be because your denture is…

5 months ago

Tooth-Colored Dental Filling Options

Tooth-colored dental fillings are the popular way to fill up cavities these days. Silver amalgam…

6 months ago