Dental fillings – what is the best material?

If tooth decay has caused a hole in the enamel and the dentin has been attacked, the affected tooth must be filled. To do this, the dentist first removes the damaged parts of the tooth with a drill. The caries must be completely removed before filling. Pathogens that remain in the tooth unintentionally can spread further towards the tooth nerve. Once all pathogens have been removed, the hole created is cleaned and closed with a filling. When choosing the filling material, the patient has the choice.

What fillings are there?

Plastic fillings can be made from different materials. Common materials include composite, amalgam, cement. The individual materials differ in their lifespan, their durability and, of course, their cost. The aesthetics also differ from material to material.
Non-plastic tooth fillings, which are still called inlay, are made of gold or ceramic.

Take a look here detailed comparison table “Types and indications of tooth fillings” on.

What is a temporary tooth filling?

Temporary tooth fillings are used, for example, before inserting cast fillings or for a root canal treatment that is carried out in several stages. The provisional dental fillings are only intended for temporary use. While a material called Fletcher was primarily used in the past, provisional tooth fillings are now made with pastes that harden in contact with saliva and heat. Zinc oxide eugenol is also suitable as a temporary filling. Glass inomer cement is a mineral cement that is also often used as a temporary solution. The material is initially very soft, but hardens after processing in the tooth.

What does a tooth filling cost??

The cost of a tooth filling depends on the material of the filling and the pricing of the dentist. Fillings made of ceramic or gold are the most expensive. Compomer and composite fillings are cheaper. Fillings made of amalgam or glass inomer cement are the cheapest.

benefits & disadvantage

Each filler has advantages but also disadvantages. Some materials have good durability, but are very expensive. Other fillers pose health risks, but can be processed inexpensively.

Tooth filling – plastic / composite

Composite consists of around 20 percent plastic and 80 percent salt of silica or fine glass particles. Although composite is officially one of the plastic fillings, the material is more similar to ceramic. Composite is dimensionally stable and durable and is therefore well suited for filling posterior and anterior teeth. The color is similar to the natural tooth color, so the fillings are almost invisible. However, composite fillings are not suitable for all dental treatments. In the case of very extensive damage or damage that extends below the gums, plastic fillings cannot be used. It should be noted that some plastic fillings can be harmful to health. Among other things, they release harmful formaldehyde.

Tooth filling – cement

Cement is the easiest filling for teeth. Due to the low resilience and durability, cement is only suitable for teeth that are exposed to low loads. Cement is mainly used to supply milk teeth or as a long-term temporary filling. However, cement fillings are cheap and generally well tolerated.

Tooth filling – ceramic

For a ceramic filling, a tooth impression is first taken. The finished filling is then created in the laboratory, which is inserted into the tooth using a special adhesive. Ceramic fillings are inconspicuous because they are tooth-colored. Compatibility and durability are good, so that ceramic fillings are also suitable for the repair of larger defects. However, later removal of the fillings can be difficult later. Another disadvantage is the high manufacturing costs.

Tooth filling – amalgam

Amalgam is one of the classic dental fillings. This filling material is a mixture of silver, tin, copper, zinc and mercury. Amalgam is easy to work with and also very inexpensive. The amalgam fillings are long-lasting and can withstand extreme pressure, so the risk of breakage is low. The material is particularly suitable for fillings in molars because the chewing process requires a particularly high load capacity. However, the use of amalgam is controversial due to the mercury it contains. Some experts suspect that small amounts of mercury vapor can separate from the amalgam fillings over time, leading to chronic mercury poisoning in the long term. However, these poisonings have so far not been proven in any recognized study. Another disadvantage of amalgam is its silvery-dark gray color. As a result, the fillings are very noticeable and unaesthetic. That is why amalgam is not used for fillings in the area of the front teeth.

Tooth filling – gold

Gold tooth fillings have the greatest durability. They withstand even large chewing loads and still do not damage the opposite tooth. Gold fillings are also biologically well tolerated. The look of the gold fillings is of course a matter of taste. Gold fillings are undoubtedly very expensive. This is partly due to the price of the material and partly due to the production. Gold fillings are always made by hand and individually for the patient in special laboratories.

There is no tooth filling that has only advantages. For this reason, each patient has to decide for himself which point is decisive for him. If you value aesthetics, you will probably prefer ceramic, plastic or, depending on your taste, gold fillings. With a limited budget, however, dental fillings made from amalgam or temporarily also from cement are recommended. The dentist is the right contact here to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the individual dental fillings together with the patient.

Do you have anymore questions? Visit our website Dentist Krefeld or arrange in our Dental practice in Krefeld an appointment.

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