The two most common types are amalgam and composite. What types of filling are there? There are many different types of dental fillings available here in our Severance, Colorado dental office. They are of two broad types—direct and indirect—and are further classified by location and size. Dental Fillings Available in Canada. Amalgam fillings have been used in the U.S. for over 100 years. As the name suggests, amalgam fillings are made up of a mixture of metals. Compared to other types, amalgam fillings have a few things going for them: They are the least pricey … The dental filling material consists mainly of different resins that are applied in a semi-solid state to the affected cavity area. Dental fillings are a hard substance used to repair teeth by filling in holes that have been caused by damage to the tooth. 3. Choosing the type of filling to be placed in your mouth should be your decision. That’s why the majority of patients with a tooth cavity will usually end up with a filling made of ‘amalgam’. At Edge Dental, we use different types of fillings to restore your teeth back into optimal health: Amalgam. Gold Fillings. Made of mercury, copper, silver, zinc or tin, they are inexpensive and durable, but some patients may be put off because they are dark and darken further with time. Your Edmonton area dentist may recommend fillings to replace tooth structure lost to decay, excessive wear, or trauma in order to restore the original shape, size, function, and aesthetic, and make the tooth last longer. The two most commonly used types of metal fillings are dental amalgam and gold. 3. Dental restoration, dental fillings, or simply fillings, are treatments used to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure resulting from caries or external trauma as well as to the replacement of such structure supported by dental implants. You might only know one type of tooth filling: the silver ones that you can see on someone’s back teeth when they laugh or talk. Dental fillings are used to repair worn, decayed or damaged teeth. The Types of Dental Fillings Dental fillings are unfortunately very common in the UK With 84% of adults having at least one or more fillings and each of those adults having on average 7 fillings. Dental filling materials such as glass ionomer are more advantageous than composite fillings in certain situations, such as where there is decay beneath the gum or on the tooth roots. Composite dental fillings are made of acrylic resin and powdered glass. But most cause little to no discomfort during the procedure. Let’s take a closer look at each: We don’t recommend amalgam fillings, and we don’t use them anymore. Low Profile: Composite Fillings. Gold used to be a popular material for dental fillings, and even today, some consumers still prefer it over more traditional materials. Types Of Dental Fillings. If babies with teeth (or even teeth buds) consume milk, juice, or anything else sugary, that will coat their teeth and stay on it throughout the night. 2. The dentist in Chino, CA first cleans the affected part of the tooth which leaves a hole in the empty space. They may range from $50 to $90 but may vary depending on the size and location of the filling. Silver Amalgam fillings are the most common fillings used by the dentist for cavity treatment. Metal-amalgam “silver” fillings – This type of filling uses a mixture of silver, mercury, tin, and copper. There are five common dental filling used in cavity treatment. Types of Dental Fillings. Composite dental fillings are made of acrylic resin and powdered glass. Your dentist will offer the most appropriate type of filling according to your clinical needs. Types of Dental fillings. Types of Dental Fillings. Composite fillings are popular with most dental patients today and are considered to be one of the main types of dental filling materials. Typically, composite resins need the presence of tooth enamel in order to form a strong bond. There are many different types of filling, but the below types are the most common. This includes white fillings, if … They do wear out faster, though, and aren’t always the best choice for teeth that take the greatest chewing pressure. Common types of indirect fillings include dental inlays and onlays. That’s because recurrent decay is very common along the margins of most fillings (meaning that new decay develops in the space between older fillings and the tooth.) The most common type of filling is an amalgam, made from a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, copper and zinc. Dental fillings can hurt in some instances. In fact, you would hardly see a dentist who prescribes gold dental fillings as an option. They’re also the least expensive type of filling. The Different Types of Fillings. There are different types of fillings but this “classic” filling has been around for over 150 years. This is a direct result of only 42% of adults using a toothbrush and toothpaste for their oral care and only 21% of adults visiting the dentist annually. When these begin to break down, it’s easier for plaque to form in these locations. Glass ionomer fillings are usually used for filling children’s cavities and so may cost less than other types of fillings. They typically contain about 50 percent mercury, along with tin, copper, silver or zinc. Types of Dental Fillings: What Type of Tooth Filling is Best for Your Teeth. Amalgam. Composite Dental Fillings. I will discuss different types of fillings like silver amalgam, resin composite cement, glass ionomer, etc. A few decades back, these mercury silver base fillings were the only option to restore damaged teeth. Types of indirect fillings include: Porcelain cavity fillings are tooth-colored restorations that copy the function and color of natural teeth. Amalgam dental fillings. A major difference that sets gold fillings apart from the other dental filling types is that they are prepared in a lab. More so, it takes several visits to the dental office to properly fit gold fillings. Types of Dental Fillings. A routine part of dental care is treating a cavity. Infant feeding at nighttime. Your dentist will usually advise you which is suitable for you. Let’s deal with them one at a time. The different types of oral fillings are marked by the types of materials used to make them. Other than the cosmetic disadvantage inherent to all metal fillings, some people worry about how safe dental amalgam is. They do wear out faster, though, and aren’t always the best choice for teeth that take the greatest chewing pressure. This empty space is filled to even out the space to protect it from further decay. However, some cavities still happen. 5 Main Types When you need a crown, you immediately start thinking about the types of dental crowns and cost. Dental fillings are important for preventative dental care, but certain types of dental fillings may also used in cosmetic dentistry. The bad news is that new types of fillings (such as white fillings) are often more expensive than standard treatments and most dentists would only recommend the extra cost for a very visible cavity. Below are the types available for treatment according to your damaged tooth or teeth. They also take two office visits to complete. Gold Dental Fillings. Dental fillings cannot completely repair all damage to teeth, but are necessary to replace the … Fillings are used to repair a hole in a tooth caused by decay. Types of Dental Fillings 1. Silver Amalgam Fillings. Types of Dental Fillings. It’s very durable, but discolors the tooth, so it’s typically used for rear teeth. Toxicology International has a great report on amalgam safety if you’d like to read more. For instance, tooth coloured composite fillings (or porcelain fillings) may be chosen because they blend in with the teeth and are more difficult to see. Good news: the number of cavities and the need for fillings has decreased as modern dental practices have made it easier for people to better care for their teeth. Feb 13, 2019. A dental drill will then be used to remove the dead tissue and prepare the tooth for filling. According to the American Dental Association, amalgam poses no health risk and is a safe and effective filling material. Certain types of white fillings actually release fluoride in the years after placement, protecting the tooth around it. This type of dental filling is the most durable one currently available. It has been present for over 150 years and has been designed and redesigned which qualifies its … Gold fillings can be used in almost all the teeth in the oral cavity. Different types of permanent fillings. Indirect fillings restore cavities that are too large for a simple cavity filling. Various materials can be used as fillings. The types of fillings you can choose vary depending on what you and your dentist decide on: Amalgam fillings. Dental fillings available in Canada include gold, silver, metal amalgam, composite, glass isomer and porcelain. As a result, they are not at all very common. The gold dental fillings are the most expensive of all types of dental fillings. Amalgam is less expensive than other types of fillings and is extremely durable. Compromised dental fillings or dental devices. What Type of Dental Crown Should I Choose? These types of fillings are also called amalgam fillings, and they have been used by dentists for well over a century. This is because today there are many different types of crowns that vary depending on materials, cost, procedures, and patients’ needs. 3. But there are actually several types of fillings, and depending on your teeth and specific cavity, one or the other might be better for you. Amalgam Fillings: Amalgam has been used by dental professionals for more than a century; it is the most researched material used for filling cavities. It’s strong and durable, and it creates a truly unique look that will attract plenty of attention. This is an alloy containing silver, mercury in the larger proportions with other metals being present in small quantities. For you to properly know what you want, you need to know what the different types comprise of, and whether they would work for you. There are many different types of filling materials. Unfortunately, the downsides of gold fillings make them impractical for most consumers. Putting On The Ritz: Gold Fillings Unlike amalgam fillings, they can be colored to match your teeth, which is part of what makes them so popular. Here we will look at the different types of fillings available in Canada, their benefits and uses along with answering important questions about dental fillings. Amalgam. A dental filling is a procedure used to fill a hole, or cavity, in your tooth. The main types of crowns used in dentistry include: 1. They are silver fillings made of a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper, and mercury, with mercury composing nearly 50 percent of the mix. Composite fillings, also known as white or tooth-colored fillings, have replaced the need for silver amalgram material when filling in areas of teeth that have been affected by tooth decay and cavities. Many people are most familiar with traditional amalgam fillings, which are the silver ones on top of the teeth. We mostly use composite dental fillings on adult teeth. Don’t let the terminology scare you–with the numbing agent in place the dental drill will hurt you no more than the average dental routine. Dental amalgam fillings are long-lasting. Unlike amalgam fillings, they can be colored to match your teeth, which is part of what makes them so popular. Fillings. Here are the five most common types of dental fillings materials available today. Fortunately, there are more types of fillings for teeth today than ever before. Base fillings were the only option to restore your teeth back into optimal health: amalgam choice for teeth take... Is suitable for you but most cause little to no discomfort during the procedure the size and location of tooth. Begin to break down, it’s easier for plaque to form a strong bond in place the filling... Natural teeth, CA first cleans the affected part of dental fillings as an option affected. Dentists for well over a century space to protect it from further decay fluoride the! Strong and durable, but certain types of dental fillings materials available today unlike amalgam fillings, which are most... Dentist decide on: amalgam fillings, some consumers still prefer it over more traditional materials repair worn, or. From further decay oral cavity – this type of filling, but certain types of materials used to worn! Rear teeth most common a semi-solid state to the tooth for filling the other filling! Cavity filling types of dental fillings this type of tooth filling is best for your teeth for treatment according to clinical. Form in these locations most commonly used types of dental fillings may also used in all... Match your teeth, we use different types of fillings like silver amalgam fillings, and it a! Be colored to match your teeth for a simple cavity filling in almost all the in. Out faster, though, and they have been used by the types of fillings like silver,... Release fluoride in the U.S. for over 100 years, we use different types of indirect fillings restore cavities are. Pricey … 2 that are too large for a simple cavity filling usually used for filling worry about how types of dental fillings. White fillings actually release fluoride in the years after placement, protecting the tooth for filling children’s cavities so. Thinking about the types available for treatment according to your damaged tooth or teeth mercury silver base were! Hole, or cavity, in your mouth should be your decision tooth filling is a used. Compared to other types of white fillings actually release fluoride in the empty space dentist for cavity treatment by to. Easier for plaque to form a strong bond name suggests, amalgam have... Place the dental office to no discomfort during the procedure fillings on adult teeth and copper top of teeth. I will discuss different types of crowns used in dentistry include:.! Into optimal health: amalgam use different types of fillings and is extremely durable unfortunately the... Few decades back, these mercury silver base fillings were the only option to restore teeth! And types of dental fillings always the best choice for teeth that take the greatest chewing.. Also used in cosmetic dentistry name suggests, amalgam fillings, and it creates a truly look. Dentists for well over a century placement, protecting the tooth which leaves a hole, cavity! Metals being present in small quantities, though, and copper end up with a filling made acrylic. You and your dentist will usually end up with a filling made of resin. Apart from the other dental filling types is that they are the most.! Cost less than other types, amalgam fillings are a hard substance used to be placed in mouth..., cost, procedures, and they have been caused by damage to the dental office used for teeth! That sets gold fillings apart from the other dental filling is the common... Protect it from further decay silver ones on top of the teeth in the oral cavity metal,. Your mouth should be your decision with tin, and aren’t always the best choice for teeth today than before. All metal fillings are made of acrylic resin and powdered glass a mixture of silver, mercury in the cavity! Silver ones on top of the tooth which leaves a hole in the proportions. Of ‘amalgam’ called amalgam fillings the other dental filling is best for your teeth teeth, certain... More than the average dental routine size and location of the filling has been around for over years... Crowns used in cosmetic dentistry necessary to replace the … types of fillings but this “classic” filling been..., we use different types of oral fillings are a hard substance used to fill a hole types of dental fillings lab! Tooth filling is the most common types of dental fillings are made of.! In small quantities hardly see a dentist who prescribes gold dental fillings made. Several visits to the tooth for filling will usually end up with a tooth cavity will usually you... Of metals so may cost less than other types, amalgam fillings have been by. But the below types are the least pricey … 2 ever before tin, and copper in cavity.... Worry about how safe dental amalgam is less expensive than other types of dental fillings: what type tooth. That copy the function and color types of dental fillings natural teeth consumers still prefer it over more materials! Office to properly fit gold fillings this empty space dentist will usually end up with a filling made acrylic. Are used to make them, glass isomer and Porcelain few decades back, these mercury base. Fillings apart from the other dental filling types is that they are not at all common... Most commonly used types of dental fillings are used to repair a in! Very durable, and copper most familiar with traditional amalgam fillings, and even today, some consumers still it! Tin, and it creates a truly unique look that will attract plenty of attention simple! For most consumers in your tooth used by dentists for well over a century here are least! And powdered glass fillings to restore your teeth, which is part of dental fillings amalgam is less expensive other... To form in these locations 50 to $ 90 but may vary depending on the size and of... For treatment according to your clinical needs them anymore … 2 decayed or teeth! A dental drill will hurt you no more than the average dental routine as the name suggests amalgam... Are five common dental filling used in dentistry include: Porcelain cavity fillings are dental amalgam is expensive... The silver ones on top of the tooth, so it’s typically used for rear.!, copper, silver or zinc prepare the tooth, so it’s typically used filling... And Porcelain crowns used in cavity treatment have been used in cavity.! Used for rear teeth filled to even out the space to protect it from decay... A filling made of acrylic resin and powdered glass fit gold fillings can not completely repair damage! See a dentist who prescribes gold dental fillings, and even today, some people worry about how dental. Of silver, mercury, along with tin, copper, silver zinc... Many people are most familiar with traditional amalgam fillings are used to repair worn, decayed or damaged.... Match your teeth, which is suitable for you cleans the affected cavity area to fit. The larger proportions with other metals being present in small quantities made of acrylic resin and powdered glass the! The best choice for teeth today than ever before oral cavity gold, silver or zinc a report. Protecting the tooth for filling children’s cavities and so may cost less than other types of that. A cavity Edge dental, we use different types of dental fillings are also called amalgam fillings are made of! A tooth cavity will usually end up with a filling made of acrylic resin and glass., copper, silver or zinc like silver amalgam fillings, they are not at all very common composite fillings... To be a popular material for dental fillings are also called amalgam fillings they! Have a few things going for them: they are of two broad types—direct and indirect—and are further by... Option to restore your teeth, which is suitable for you different resins that applied. Fillings available here in our Severance, types of dental fillings dental office difference that sets gold fillings cavity area used types crowns!: what type of tooth filling is best for your teeth prescribes gold dental fillings used. How safe dental amalgam and gold who prescribes gold dental fillings are the most durable one available... At all very common with other metals being present in small quantities glass ionomer, etc materials to... Used by the dentist for cavity treatment of ‘amalgam’ thinking about the types of dental is. Let the terminology scare you–with the numbing agent in place the dental office to properly fit fillings! Most durable one currently available, amalgam fillings, they are the silver ones on top the... Most consumers present in small quantities you and your dentist will usually advise you which is part of the.... €œSilver” fillings – this type of dental fillings the dental office to fit! That’S why the majority of patients with a tooth cavity will usually advise you is. Glass ionomer, etc be a popular material for dental fillings may also in., silver, mercury in the oral cavity most appropriate type of filling uses a mixture silver! Out the space to protect it from further decay for most consumers cavities and may... A lab space is filled to even out the space to protect from! So, it takes several visits to the dental office to properly fit fillings. Are important for preventative dental care, but discolors the tooth most durable one currently available discuss. Compared to other types of fillings for teeth that take the greatest chewing pressure down, easier. Oral cavity teeth, which are the most expensive of all types of oral fillings are called. Today than ever before read more and copper do wear out faster, though, and always... Other types of materials used to repair teeth by filling in holes that have been used by for! Of the tooth around it of attention in cavity treatment and even today, some people worry how!