What Are Dental Fillings?

If you eat many sugary snacks and postpone your oral hygiene to a better day, you probably know how painful cavities can be. However, tooth decay can be removed when you act promptly and ask your dentist for a dental filling. 

Dental fillings are special materials that replace the space affected by cavities. What kind of fillings do dentists use? They apply silver amalgam, composite, ceramic, gold, glass ionomer, and resin ionomer to even out the tooth surface.

Types of Dental Fillings

Let’s observe the most common filling options.

1. Amalgam Fillings (Silver Fillings)

Silver fillings are made of an alloy of mercury, tin, copper, and silver. If you are looking for an affordable type of teeth fillings, this option might be your best fit. Their price has won amalgam fillings’ widespread popularity among patients.

Dentists aren’t that fascinated by this material, recently preferring other types of cavity fillings. The reason lies in several drawbacks we’ll discuss later. Let’s start with the benefits of silver amalgam fillings.

Pros

• Durability. With proper care and thorough oral hygiene, they can endure up to fifteen years.
• Cost-effectiveness. They are not as expensive as other tooth filling types, allowing patients on a budget to receive essential dental care.
• Strength. Silver fillings can withstand chewing forces without occasional cracking.
• 1-visit application. A qualified dentist can install them in a single visit.

Cons

• Unnatural look. Unfortunately, this material looks like a large dark-colored mass in a tooth that darkens with time. It can start to discolor the tooth material, making the natural tooth look gray.
• Present mercury. However, the amounts are so small that it doesn’t harm patients.
• Susceptible to temperature fluctuations. If you love drinking scalding coffee or eating a tooth-chilling ice cream, silver amalgam might not be your best fit. This material is prone to expanding or contracting from extreme heat and cold, which might lead to gaps around the filling and further tooth damage. 
• Large. A dentist might need to remove a healthy tooth structure so that the filling perfectly fits in. 

2. Composite Fillings (Tooth-Colored Fillings)

Composite fillings are made of powdered glass mixed with acrylic resin. They have become immensely popular: unlike silver fillings, this material can match the color of your natural tooth. 

It only takes one dental appointment to get a composite filling:

1. A dentist kneads and shapes the pliable material and places it in the tooth with cavities. 
2. The doctor uses a bright light to cure the resin material so that the filling hardens.

Pros

• Virtually invisible. The color of composite fillings can blend in with your teeth, making them a go-to choice for front teeth. 
• Sturdy. The material bonds to the treated tooth on a micro-mechanical level, so the tooth has additional support.
• Perfect for dental restoration. Composite fillings are ideal for repairing broken, chipped, or worn teeth. 

Cons

• Non-compatible with bruxism. If you grind your teeth at night, you’d better look for another option: сomposite fillings might break down under chewing force. However, you can ask your doctor for a night mouthguard to solve the issue. 
• Relatively costly. They are pricier than amalgam fillings.

3. Ceramic (Porcelain) Fillings

Ceramic fillings are usually made of porcelain, making them remarkably durable. They can last over fifteen years! Besides, their aesthetically pleasing color can match your natural teeth.

A dentist needs at least two office visits to install your ceramic filling as they are usually made using molds:

1. The first visit implies removing extra tooth material and taking a cast of the area that needs fillings. 

2. The doctor makes a mold and fills it with ceramic that matches the color of your natural teeth and installs a filling during the second visit.

Pros

• Outstanding durability and strength. Ceramic fillings can last for decades. 
• Natural look. They resemble the color and texture of your natural teeth, so it’s an excellent choice for front teeth.
• Stain-resistant. This option isn’t prone to discoloration.
• Perfect for patients with bruxism. They are sturdy enough to work well if you grind your teeth at night. 
• Great for sensitive gums. Porcelain is non-reactive, so it suits patients with sensitive gums or allergies.

Cons

• Price. High quality requires corresponding payment.
• Regular check-ups. You can’t miss visits to a dental office if you want your ceramic fillings to last. The doctor needs to ensure the porcelain hasn’t become rough or brittle to prevent wearing down the enamel on adjacent teeth.
• Relatively large. Your dentist might need to process more natural tooth material to fit in the filling.

4. Gold Fillings

Though gold fillings might seem a bit outdated, don’t rush to decline this option. It is very strong and doesn’t corrode, so the filling might last you over twenty years! Similarly to ceramics, it needs two visits to a dental office to be installed—to make the molds and the final fitting. 

Pros

• Impressive strength and durability. These fillings won’t corrode or break down inside your mouth.
• Non-reactivity. The material suits patients with allergies or sensitive gums.

Cons

• Expensive. Cast gold is valuable, so it’s the priciest among different types of fillings.
• Distinct look. Though gold fillings differ from dental crowns, they are still visible. That’s why dentists prefer to place them in the back of the mouth.
• 2-visit installation. You have to go to your dentist twice to get gold fillings. 

5. Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are made of a blend of glass and acrylic and might resemble composite fillings, but they are way weaker. These fillings tend to break down after several years, but they are ideal for kids who will lose their milk teeth in a few years. With proper care, they will last nearly five years.

Pros

• Make teeth healthier. Since glass ionomers release fluoride into the tooth, they can benefit children’s teeth.
• Affordable. Patient-friendly price makes them a decent option for kids’ fillings.
• Mercury-free. They don’t cause allergic reactions or discolorations, making them safe for little children. 

Cons

• Brittle. Tend to break down faster than other types of fillings for teeth.
• Short lifespan. These dental fillings aren’t suitable for permanent teeth since they last approximately five years.

6. Resin Ionomer Fillings

Now you understand “what are the 5 types of filling materials,” but we have a little bonus. Resin-modified glass ionomer fillings offer the advantages of glass ionomers and resin-based materials, which results in enhanced sturdiness and aesthetics. Dentists usually apply them to restore visible areas such as front teeth.

Pros

• Natural look. They can be made to match the color of your teeth.
• 1-visit application. A filling can be incorporated during a single dental visit.

Cons

• More durability desired. Though resin ionomer fillings will last you at least five years, they still lack in terms of longevity when compared to other cavity-filling types.
• Might shrink over time. The material might eventually shrink, causing gaps between the filling and the tooth. This can result in extra cavities. A dentist can place the filling in thin layers to prevent shrinking.

Choosing the Right Filling for You

Choosing among various types of tooth fillings might be challenging as the right filling material depends on several factors:

• the cost;
• the extent of the dental repair;
• the area that needs to be filled.

Making the final decision is much more tricky than putting two and two together. It requires professional knowledge and years of practice, so it’s better to consult a qualified dentist to find a solution that will perfectly meet your needs. However, extra knowledge about different types of fillings for teeth won’t harm you, helping you understand the peculiarities of the material your doctor might recommend for filling.

Types of Fillings: Pros and Cons Comparison Chart

Features/Type of fillings	Silver amalgam	Composite	Ceramic	Gold	Glass ionomer	Resin ionomer
Aesthetics	Unnatural look; darkens with time.	Matches the color of your natural tooth.	Aesthetically pleasing.	Distinct look.	Look less natural than composite fillings.	Enhanced aesthetics.
Durability	Up to 15 years with proper care.	Nearly 7 years.	Nearly 15 years.	Over 20 years.	Up to 5 years.	Nearly 5 years.
Price	Affordable	Pricier than amalgam fillings	Pricy	Expensive	Affordable	Relatively affordable
Installation	1 visit	1 visit	2 visits	2 visits	1 visit	1 visit
Tooth-saving option	Might discolor the tooth material.	Effective for dental restoration.	A dentist might need to process more natural tooth material.	A precise fit minimizes the risks of further tooth decay or damage.	Benefit children’s teeth.	Requires a tiny amount of tooth for removal.
Wear-resistance	Susceptible to temperature fluctuations.	Might break down under chewing force (not suitable for patients with bruxism).	Stain-resistant.	No corrosion;won’t break down.	Weaker than composite fillings.	Might eventually shrink; the material needs to be applied in layers.
Fluoride release	Not significant	Capable of releasing fluoride ions.	No	No	Capable of releasing fluoride ions.	Offers fluoride release properties.
Best fit	Perfect for patients on a budget.	Ideal for broken, chipped, or worn teeth.	Great for front teeth.	Suitable for patients with allergies or sensitive gums.	Best for kids with milk teeth.	Suitable to restore visible tooth areas.

Dental Fillings: Protect Your Teeth From Damage

If you find a tiny dark spot on your tooth, don’t panic: dental fillings will help you restore your natural teeth. Dentists use silver, composite, ceramic, cast gold, glass ionomer, and resin ionomer materials for fillings, so it’s easy to find the option that will suit your needs and budget. If some of your teeth are cavity-free, you can postpone getting fillings by asking your dentist for sealants that can secure your natural teeth for up to ten years.

Dental Filling Types: Most Common Questions

Additional Resources

• If you are concerned about the mercury present in dental amalgam, read the article by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• In case you want to get silver fillings, read about fluoride release in amalgam fillings.