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Types of Metal Dental Fillings

Most Americans have at some point in their lives had to get a dental filling. Fillings are placed into your teeth to provide you with the full and comfortable use of them. Fillings can be used to correct tooth decay, damage, deformations, and fractures. The vast majority of dental fillings are made from metal. However, many different types of metal are used, including mixtures of two or more types of metals.

  1. Amalgam Fillings

    • Amalgam fillings, also called silver fillings, are made from three different types of metal mixed together. The final amalgam is a mixture of a powder alloy and liquid mercury. The powder alloy is made up of silver, tin and copper. This metal filling material is most often used to repair or replace broken teeth. Advantages include its durability, easy installation, and cheap price. Usually, an amalgam filling can be done in one visit. Disadvantages include the possibly of staining over time and the tooth might be more sensitive to heat.

    Nickel and Colbalt Chhrome Alloy Fillings

    • Nickel or cobalt chrome alloys are another common type of metal dental filling material. They are made of different mixtures of nickel and chromium. They usually have a darker silver color. They are mostly used for crowns, fixed bridges and partial dental frameworks. These fillings resist corrosion and leakage quite well but also conduct heat and cold, may wear down teeth, may irritate sensitive teeth and are extremely expensive.

    Porcelain and Metal Fusion Fillings

    • Porcelain and metal are sometimes used in tandem, with the porcelain being fused to the top of metal shells. These fillings are therefore colored the same as the tooth, providing a cosmetic advantage. They are usually used for crowns and fixed bridges. They are very durable and also easy on teeth. However, they are expensive and usually require at least two visits to the dentist.

    Gold Alloy Fillings

    • Gold alloy fillings are a mixture of gold, copper and other metals. They are used for crowns and fixed bridges. They are also highly durable and will not corrode in the mouth, but are expensive, require two visits to the doctor's office, and are not the color of the tooth. Gold fillings can be broken into two categories, cast gold, which is made from 14- to 18-karat gold, and gold foil, made from 24-karat gold.

    Silver Mercury Fillings

    • Silver mercury fillings were used in the past, when bonding technology was not available, and have several disadvantages when compared to more modern filling types. They may weaken teeth, thereby causing teeth breaks. They are made from a mixture of silver, mercury, tin and copper.

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