Cavities are inevitable, so when it comes to dental fillings you have a few options. The most popular that has been around for over 100 years is Amalgam.
Amalgam which is also known as the “silver filling” consists of a variety of metals. Mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper are mixed together but about 50% is Mercury. The benefit of amalgam fillings is they are strong and long-lasting, so they are less likely to break than some other types of fillings.
Composite Resin fillings are made of ceramic and plastic compounds. These have mainly been used for the front teeth because they are closer in color and blend in better. In the past composite resin was not used for the back teeth because they were not as durable. Advancements in technology now allow for back teeth to be filled with these types of fillings.
Cast Gold are known for their durability . They lasts at least 10 to 15 years and usually longer without corroding . They can withstand chewing forces which would fracture other filling. As far as aesthetics the gold does stand out quite a bit and does not blend in as well. Something to remember with Cast Gold is galvanic shock can occur when the silver metals and gold interact with saliva causing an electric current. You can imagine this would not feel comfortable.
Ceramic fillings are typically made out of porcelain, ceramic, or glass-like fillings and offer a filling without metals. A huge plus to these filling is that they can completely reconstruct a tooth that has been ruined by cavities
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