All That You Need to Know About Dental Fillings (Part 5)
Allow me to discuss this week the different filling materials available. There are multiple dental filling types available for a patient to choose from. Teeth can be filled with silver amalgam or mercury mixed with various metalsor composite resin filling. It is possible for the fillings to contain glass particles known as glass ionomer, which is applied in a similar fashion as composite resin fillings.
Gold cast fillings are, as the name suggests, made of gold and has multiple advantages. This filling material has been in use by dentists for 4,000 years and it’s one of the earliest materials used as a filling.
Gold fillings are durable and can last for 10 to 15 years. Gold doesn’t corrode. It’s strong enough to withstand the chewing forces and nicer to look at compared to silver fillings.
The disadvantage of gold fillings is that they are expensive.
In rare occasions, galvanic shock might happen if gold fillings are placed next to silver amalgam.
Silver fillings or silver amalgam is made up, not only of silver, but an amalgam of materials. Mercury is used and mixed with copper, zinc, tin, and silver. The use of this type of filling has gone out of style because of the toxicity of mercury.
Silver amalgam is as durable as gold and can last 10 to 15 years. It’s strong enough to resist the bite and chewing forces. It is not that expensive.
The disadvantage is that silver fillings’ appearance may not be pleasing as it does not blend with the natural color of teeth. There are patients who are allergic to mercury. Most often this amalgam is placed at the back of the teeth so that it will not be seen often.
High levels of mercury can affect your kidneys and brain.
We will continue with other the discussion about the kinds of filling materials next week.