5 Best Tooth Filling Materials – Pros & Cons

Tooth filling materials are special material that is used in dentistry for repairing decayed, cracked or broken teeth. Tooth cavity can result to holes on the decayed part of your tooth. During filling, your dentist cleans out the decayed part of the tooth, creating a hole. After removing the decay, the dentist fills the empty space with fillings.

Tooth fillings, such as dental amalgam restorations and composite resin restorations, are essential for restoring the normal structure of your teeth. They not only prevent further decay and discomfort while chewing but also offer different options for materials. Your dentist will explain these options before carrying out the procedure.

Various materials, such as amalgam restorations, are used for filling cavities. These materials have different strength, structure, and color. The process of filling a dental cavity involves tooth preparation and bonding the filling material to the dentin. This procedure typically takes about an hour or more to complete. However, gold fillings may require several days to be finished.

In fact, many materials are available for tooth fillings, but each of them have their advantages and disadvantages. As we move on. Before the end of this article you’ll get to know lots about the materials used for tooth filling.

Different Tooth Filling materials

1. Amalgam fillings 

Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, are a popular choice for tooth cavity filling. Made of a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper, and mercury, amalgam fillings are very strong and durable. They tend to last longer than most other tooth filling materials. Amalgam fillings are ideal for filling cavities at the back teeth where chewing takes place.

Advantages

• Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, are very strong and can withstand constant pressure and forces during chewing. They are a popular choice for dental restorations, along with composite resin restorations and sealants. Composite restorations, made from a tooth-colored material, are another option for dental repairs.

• Amalgam fillings, also known as amalgams, are durable and can last for a very long period of time, typically at least 10 to 15 years. They are often used as composite resin restorations in dental procedures.

• Dental fillings, including colored fillings and dental amalgam restorations, are a cost-effective option for tooth restoration. They typically range in price from $50 to $150 per filling.

Disadvantages

• Dental amalgam restorations, such as veneers and composite restorations, can be used to improve the appearance of your smile. Unlike amalgam bonding, these fillings match the color of your existing teeth, making them more aesthetically pleasing.

• Most people using amalgam fillings do complain of discoloration or erosion of the fillings overtime. Recurrent caries is a common issue with amalgams, as well as composite resin restorations and composite restorations.

• If you are allergic to mercury, it’s not advisable that you should get dental amalgam fillings. Because the mercury that is present in amalgam is given off in form of vapor which can be inhaled and absorbed by your lungs. Dentists recommend alternative options like veneers for those with allergies to mercury.

• Unlike most other dental filling materials, amalgam does not form a close bond with your tooth. This can result in unattractive colored fillings. Consider composite restorations for more aesthetically pleasing results.

2. Composite fillings 

This is also referred to as tooth-colored composites or composite resins. The composite fillings is a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles. Composite fillings is fairly durable and ideal for small cavities where constant chewing is not needed. It’s mostly used on the front teeth or visible parts of teeth. This is because it’s specially designed to closely match the color of your existing teeth, making them hard to notice.

Advantages

• Composite fillings will match the color of your teeth.

• Dental amalgam restorations, also known as dental fillings or colored fillings, bonds closely to the tooth structure, providing further support and protection. Amalgam bonding is a common technique used for dental fillings.

• Composite fillings can be combined with other materials and used to repair chipped, broken, or worn teeth. (1)

• Unlike dental amalgam restorations, less drilling and shaping of your tooth structure is needed for composite fillings. Much opening isn’t needed on your tooth to secure these dental restorations.

Disadvantages

• Composite fillings don’t last long for large cavity restorations where the tooth is under chewing pressure, unlike dental amalgam restorations. Dental amalgam lasts for at least 5 years due to its strong bonding and resistance to caries.

• Dental restorations, such as composite fillings, are more costly than amalgam fillings. The cost for a composite filling ranges from $100 to $250.

• Composite fillings, also known as dental amalgam restorations, are more complex to install compared to amalgam fillings. The completion of amalgam bonding can take at least two visits to your dentist. This is because composite fillings require additional steps for proper placement and bonding to the tooth structure. However, composite fillings are preferred by many patients due to their natural appearance and ability to blend in with the surrounding teeth. They are commonly used to treat caries or tooth decay.

• Dental amalgam is suitable for smaller cavities in the teeth where lots of chewing doesn’t take place. Amalgam fillings and colored fillings are also options for dental fillings.

3. Ceramic fillings

Ceramic fillings, also known as dental amalgam restorations, are much more similar to tooth-colored composite fillings. Dental amalgam bonding is designed to have the same color as your natural teeth. It’s made of porcelain, being more resistant to staining than any other tooth filling materials. Ceramic fillings are a popular choice for treating caries.

Advantages

• Ceramic fillings, also known as dental amalgam or composite restorations, are durable and can last for over 10 years.

• Amalgam restorations, also known as dental amalgam or amalgam fillings, have the same color as your natural teeth, making them unnoticeable. Composite restorations are another option to consider alongside amalgam restorations.

• Ceramic restorations, also known as dental fillings, are more resistant to staining and erosion compared to composite resin and amalgam fillings. This makes them a great choice for treating caries.

Disadvantages

• More drilling and shaping of the tooth is needed for installing dental amalgam and composite restorations.

• Due to the nature of ceramics, ceramic fillings, also known as dental amalgam restorations, are more brittle and can easily fracture. This is in contrast to composite restorations, which are more durable.

• Extra care and caution should be required in taking care of dental amalgam and composite restorations. There might be need for regular examination after installation to monitor the condition of the amalgam restorations and composite restorations, as well as to detect any potential caries.

• Ceramic fillings are much very expensive than composite fillings.

4. Cast Gold Fillings

This particular dental filings is made through the combination of gold and other metals. Although, the cost of gold fillings can be more than 10 times the price of amalgam filings. Most people desire to get gold fillings, but that’s only if you can afford the price.

Advantages

• Dental amalgam, also known as amalgam restorations, is very durable as it can last more than 15 years. Additionally, it is a popular choice for treating caries. However, an alternative option to consider is composite resin.

• Dental amalgam, also known as amalgam filling, is a very strong material that can withstand chewing forces and pressure. This makes it a popular choice for amalgam restorations. Additionally, composite resin is another option for dental fillings.

• Most people find dental restorations made of gold to be more pleasing to the eye than amalgam fillings containing mercury. However, an alternative option for a more aesthetically pleasing choice is composite resin restorations.

• Gold fillings doesn’t tarnish or corrode easily.

Disadvantages

• Installing dental amalgam restorations, also known as amalgam fillings, can be a complex process. Unlike resin fillings, which are quicker to install, amalgam fillings require more time and can take days to complete. This is because amalgam fillings contain mercury, which needs to be properly mixed and shaped before it can be placed in the tooth cavity.

• Dental restorations using resin composite are much more expensive than amalgam fillings and other tooth filling materials. It can cost about $1200 for a single composite filling.

• For this reason, most patients prefer tooth-colored fillings over dental amalgam or amalgam restorations. It does not match the color of your natural teeth like composite or resin.

• When dental amalgam restorations are placed wrongly, you can experience frequent galvanic shock which results from interactions between the dental amalgam, mercury, and your saliva.

5. Glass Ionomer fillings 

Glass ionomer fillings, also known as dental amalgam restorations, are usually recommended for young children and for fillings required below the gum line. Glass ionomer is made up of acrylic and fluoroaluminosilicate. When used for fillings, this unique filling material protects the teeth against further decay by releasing fluoride. However, glass ionomer fillings aren’t as strong as other materials such as resin or composite. They don’t last as long because they’re more susceptible to wear down faster.

Advantages

• The dental amalgam restorations, also known as glass Ionomer fillings, are designed to match the color of your existing teeth. But it’s not as good as tooth-colored composite fillings in a resin study.

• Dental amalgam, also known as amalgam restorations, is a more affordable option compared to gold fillings. The price of dental amalgam is similar to that of resin composite fillings, according to a recent study.

• It provides extra protection to the teeth and gums, by providing flouride.

• Dental amalgam restorations, also known as fillings, tend to bond closely to the tooth. This property is very essential for preventing leakage of dental amalgam, resin, and composite fillings.

Disadvantages

• Dental amalgam, a common material used for amalgam restorations, is weaker than resin and composite. It’s more likely to wear down faster.

• Installing composite and dental amalgam restorations can be very complex. In some cases, a special bright blue light might be needed for the installation process.

• Dental amalgam is not suitable for large cavities found on molars or premolars. Instead, it is mostly used for filling cavities at the front teeth. Amalgam restorations and composite are alternative options for these types of fillings.

Final Thoughts

Tooth fillings, including dental amalgam and composite materials, are great for getting rid of holes on your teeth. There are also numerous other tooth filling materials, such as amalgam restorations, apart from the five that I listed on the article. Before getting a filling, your dentist will explain more about the available filling materials.

When choosing a material for your dental fillings, the durability of amalgam restorations really matters. Glass ionomer and composite fillings are good options, but they don’t last quite as long as amalgam restorations. Most people go for metal fillings, like amalgam restorations, which can last up to 10 years or more.

Making the right decision on your tooth filling material is very important. If you’re still confused on the one to go for, your dentist can help identify the most suitable filling material for you.

However, not taking good care of your dental amalgam or composite restorations after getting them can be disastrous. You should stick to good oral hygiene after getting an amalgam or composite cavity filling.