If you’ve got a cavity, you don’t have a choice about whether or not to get it filled. Left untreated, small cavities become much larger, more painful problems. Something you do have control over, though, is what you get it filled with. Today’s cavities can be repaired with silver, gold or tooth colored — also known as white or composite — fillings. Let’s take a look at each to understand why your dentist prefers to help patients restore their teeth with tooth colored fillings in Hutchinson.
Learn About the Three Main Types of Dental Fillings
You should learn about each type of filling material in order to make the choice that’s right for you and your unique mouth.
Amalgam (Silver Fillings)
Dental amalgam looks like silver but is actually a mix of mercury, silver, tin and copper. This is the least expensive type of filling available.
Although they can be a more budget-friendly option, there are some disadvantages to consider with silver fillings. The metal contracts and expands over time, which leaves your tooth structure more vulnerable to damage. And even though the amalgam material has been shown to be safe in patients, many worry about future health risks related to mercury.
Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are among the most expensive options in fillings, but are good for patients with sensitive teeth, and the material is also more resistant to erosion and time’s wear and tear.
But be aware that gold fillings can cost up to 10 times as much as a silver filling, and they also take at least two visits to the dentist to place. Additionally, many patients dislike the look of metal or gold in their smile.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth colored fillings, white fillings, composite fillings — whatever you want to call them, they’re the top choice for repairing tooth decay in Hutchinson. Let’s take a look at why.
- A composite filling is made of a mixture of tooth-colored plastic and glass. That’s a mixture that only strengthens your teeth, as it won’t expand and contract like metal fillings.
- Less of the natural tooth structure must be removed for a tooth colored filling as opposed to a metal filling.
- There is often less discomfort post-filling than compared to other restoration options.
And the part our patients like most? Tooth colored fillings repair and strengthen teeth without marring their appearance in the least.
Schedule Your Dental Appointment in Hutchinson Today
The next time you’ve got a cavity, remember that you have an excellent option for restoration with a tooth colored filling at Grant D. Ringler’s office. Schedule your appointment in our office today. We’re located in Hutchinson, KS and we invite patients from all over to come see us — including Willowbrook, Medora, Buhler, Nickerson and beyond.