Types Of Dental Fillings And Their Uses

A look at the treatment options available at our Acton dental practice.

Most people who read this blog will probably have been treated by a dentist for a cavity, or if they haven’t, probably will be at some point in their life. Few of us will escape this relatively minor treatment and filling a tooth is one of the most common procedures that we carry out at the Acton Vale Dental Centre.

Many of you who have had this procedure will have had an amalgam filling. These have been in use for many years in the UK and have excellent strength and durability. It does have its drawbacks though. The main one being that it is a dark coloured material and can be seen quite easily when the restored tooth is visible, such as when we laugh or smile.

In today’s blog, we will take a look at not only amalgam, but other types of dental fillings that can be used when a tooth cavity needs to be filled.

Amalgam

The most common filling in use today is amalgam, although others are rapidly catching up. Amalgam uses a combination of metals that include silver, tin, copper and mercury. It is this latter ingredient that sometimes causes concern as mercury is a highly toxic ingredient. UK dental regulators have declared that it is safe when used in fillings although some patients prefer to avoid it wherever possible. Amalgam is very strong and durable but is also a dark colour that stands out against the whiter  colour of your teeth. It can also shrink over time, leaving tiny gaps around the filling material where further decay may occur. The teeth also need to be specially prepared and shaped in order to place the filling securely.

White teeth fillings

After amalgam fillings, white dental fillings are the most widely used. Although they have been around for a while, earlier versions were largely only used for cosmetic purposes as they lacked the strength of amalgam and tended to be used on non biting areas of the tooth. This is no longer the case as advances that have been made in this area have ensured that white coloured fillings are almost as strong as amalgam and can be more widely used. Where there is concern about the degree of strength, such as, for example, where a large filling is required on a rear tooth that would come under pressure from the chewing and grinding of food, other options may be considered. While amalgam might be an option here; for those seeking a more aesthetic restoration. Inlays or onlays may be a better choice.

The main advantage of white fillings, of course, is that they are almost invisible as they can be made in a shade to match your natural tooth. This isn’t the only advantage though and not only do they not shrink like amalgam can, but they usually also require less of the natural tooth to be removed during preparation as these fillings bind well to the remaining tooth structure.

Gold fillings

On a practical level, gold fillings are an excellent option. They are very strong, long lasting, well tolerated by humans and are more resistant to sensitivity than most other metal based fillings. For some people, gold teeth are also a ‘status symbol’ and can sometimes be seen in the teeth of pop or rap stars. Not everyone wants to have fillings that are this visible though and there is also the most obvious problem with them and that is the cost. Gold tooth fillings are the most expensive type of filling material and are therefore one of the least used.

Glass ionomer

While patients of the Acton Vale Dental Centre will probably have heard of the previous three types of filling, the final one is less likely, and for good reason. Glass Ionomer is a rarely used filling material as it is too weak for the vast majority of uses. It is made from a mixture of glass and acrylic materials. It would not be used to fill a cavity where any sort of force is likely but can be used, for example, on non biting surfaces such as to protect the neck of the tooth, perhaps when it has become exposed by receding gums. It does offer additional protection too by releasing fluoride which helps to protect the teeth.

Other restorations

In addition to filling materials, damaged and decayed teeth can be restored using other methods. Two of the most common of these are crowns and porcelain dental veneers. Crowns are mainly used where a large amount of damage has been done to a tooth, whether by accident or decay. It is a strong and effective restoration that also preserves the natural appearance of the teeth.

Dental veneers can be used cosmetically, to enhance a smile, but are also used where enamel erosion has worn away the front surface of the tooth. When this happens, not only is decay more likely, but the risk of sensitive teeth is increased too.

Any patient who attends our dental clinic with tooth decay will be examined thoroughly and the most appropriate treatment provided. If you suspect you may have tooth decay or have a painful tooth, even if the pain is ‘only’ fairly mild, you should contact us to have it checked as soon as possible. You can do so by calling our Acton dental practice today on 020 8749 3267 and speak to one of our friendly reception team.