Your Easy Guide to Cavities and Fillings
When you start to experience tooth pain, there's a chance you may have a cavity. Cavities are small holes that appear in your teeth when tooth decay occurs. They happen for multiple reasons, including consuming too much sugar and too much bad bacteria. When you visit your dentist, they may offer you a filling. Here are the types of fillings you can expect.
Porcelain or Ceramic
Made from a combination of oxygen and silicone, porcelain fillings tend to have a more natural appearance. A lot of people prefer them, as they're not as visible when you laugh or open your mouth to talk. However, they're also more fragile than other types and may require more visits to your dentist. Due to their fragility, they may not be suitable for especially large fillings.
Composite
Much like porcelain fillings, composite has a paler appearance that makes them harder to detect. They're slightly less fragile than porcelain, but they do have a tendency to chip. Their structure means they're more likely to bond to your tooth's remaining shape. This means your dentist may not need to drill away too much tooth to put them in place, but they'll still need to drill enough to remove the decay.
Silver
Silver is the word usually used to describe amalgam fillings. This is because they have a silver appearance, but that doesn't mean they're made from the metal itself. Instead, they mostly feature elemental mercury, which is a form of mercury that isn't harmful when used in a dental setting. They're amongst the toughest of fillings and can last for a decade, which means fewer visits to your dentist. They're also cost-effective, so you may not pay as many out-of-pocket expenses.
Gold
Like silver fillings, gold fillings aren't made from gold alone. They usually feature a blend of other metals too, such as copper. However, their overall appearance is gold, hence the name. They're the most durable fillings of all and can last as long as 20 years if you engage in the right oral care. They tend to cost more than silver, though, which is why they're not always the default filling of choice.
The type of filling your dentist recommends will depend on several factors. Your tooth's existing structure will dominate your options, but you may make your final decision based on cost. Regardless of which option you choose, always make sure you follow your dentist's aftercare advice once the procedure takes place.
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