Types of Dental Fillings

If you have a cavity that needs to be filled with a dental filling, several different materials can be used to complete the task. Some of the most common filling materials are amalgam, gold, porcelain, and composite. Our Calgary dentists explain the differences between them in today's post to help you decide which is best for you.

A variety of materials, including amalgam, porcelain, gold, and composite resins, can be used to make tooth fillings. Aside from being safe and long-lasting, each of these materials has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are plastic tooth-coloured fillings that look and feel natural when placed in a patient's mouth. 

Composite fillings are the same colour as your natural teeth, so they blend in with the rest of your smile. Because these materials bond naturally to teeth, your dentist will not have to remove as much existing enamel during the preparation process.

Your dentist will first remove decay from the tooth before applying bonding material to the inside of the cavity to place this type of filling. The hole is then filled with thin layers of composite resin. Each layer hardens to a solid-state with the help of a curing light. After the final layer of the filling hardens, your dentist will shape it to 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 made in a dental laboratory and returned to your dentist, who cements it in place in your mouth. To complete the procedure, at least two dental appointments are usually required.

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

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.

This type of dental filling, like porcelain fillings, 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 usually necessitates at least two dental appointments.

To find out more about the composite dental fillings that are available, contact our Calgary dentists today.