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Tooth Filling Options

Over the years, dentists have used many materials to fill cavities in their patients' teeth. The material used depends mainly on current technology and research, however other considerations may come into play, such as the patient's preference, the size of the cavity that's being filled, and the material used in any existing fillings in adjoining teeth.

  1. Amalgam

    • Amalgam has been used for more than a century for creating fillings. The material is called amalgam because it's an amalgamation of several metals, including silver and mercury. The use of mercury in amalgam has caused concerns about the fillings' safety, however, according to the FDA, as long as the patient is more than six years old, amalgam with mercury is safe. Even patients with many amalgam fillings are not exposed to dangerous amounts of mercury. The material is strong and long-lasting and is the least expensive filling option.

    Composite Resin

    • Composite resin fillings are the color of natural teeth. Although the match might not be exact, a filling is made to closely resemble the patient's tooth color. Another advantage of composite resin fillings is that less tooth needs to be drilled to fill the cavity. If not cared for properly, though, over time composite resin fillings can stain.

    Gold

    • Some people prefer gold fillings because of their pleasing appearance, but they are certainly more expensive than other types of tooth fillings. Gold fillings are strong and non-corrosive and can last as long as 15 to 30 years. One of the disadvantages of a gold filling is that if it is placed next to a silver amalgam filling, a rare side-effect causing intense pain can occur.

    Ceramic

    • Ceramic is an expensive filling material that provides the most natural look of any filling option. A ceramic filling is custom-made in a lab to match the patient's tooth shade so that the patient's smile looks natural. The cost is comparable to that of a gold filling. Ceramic fillings do not stain as easily as composite ones, and they can last 15 years, if they are cared for properly.

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