A common misconception in dental care is that if it doesn’t hurt or cause pain then you don’t need to fix it. Nothing is further from the truth!
A cavity doesn’t hurt or cause pain until it is close to or into the nerve. By that time, a more costly and time-consuming process will likely be needed. The best time to treat a cavity is when smaller areas of decay are present. That is why cleaning and exams are recommended at least twice a year.
To treat a cavity, Dr. Thiel will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then “fill” the removed area. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse.
What Types of Filling Materials Are Available?
A variety of materials are used to fill a cavity. Dr. Thiel will recommend the best material for you based on the location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, and your insurance coverage.
Cast Gold Fillings
Pros:
• Durable: lasts 10-15 or more years
• Strong: can withstand years of use
Cons:
• Expense: up to 10 times higher cost than amalgam fillings, may not be covered by insurance
• Time: requires at least two office visits
• Aesthetics: most patients prefer silver or composite over gold
Silver Fillings (Amalgams)
Pros:
• Durable: last at least 15 years and usually outlasts composite fillings
• Strong: can withstand years of use
• Cost: less expensive than composite fillings
Cons:
• Aesthetics: fillings don’t match the color of your natural teeth
• Space-taking: healthy parts of the tooth must often be removed to accommodate the filling
• Discoloration: can create a grayish hue on surrounding tooth structure
• Cracks and fractures: compared to other materials, amalgams may expand and contract with hot and cold more than other materials, leading to potential cracks and fractures
Tooth-colored Composite Fillings
Pros:
Aesthetics: can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth – good for visible teeth
Better bonding: composite fillings chemically bond to the tooth, providing greater support
Versatile: composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth
Tooth-sparing: less tooth structure needs to be removed compared with amalgams
Cons:
Less durable: composite fillings wear out sooner than amalgams (last five years compared with 10 to 15 for amalgams)
• Increased chair time: these fillings can take up to 20 minutes longer than amalgams to place
• Chipping: depending on location, composite materials can chip off the tooth
• Expense: composite fillings can cost up to twice the cost of amalgams
Other Tooth-Colored Filling Materials
Ceramics and glass ionomers are two other types of tooth-colored filling materials:
• Ceramics: most often made of porcelain, ceramic fillings are more resistant to staining than composites, and are also more abrasive. This material generally lasts more than 15 years and can cost as much as gold fillings.
• Glass ionomers: made of acrylic and glass materials, these are most commonly used for fillings below the gum line and fillings in young children. Glass ionomers release fluoride, which can protect the tooth from further decay. They generally last five years or less with costs comparable to composite resin.
Indirect Fillings
Indirect fillings are considered when there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling, but the tooth is not so severely damaged that it needs a crown. Indirect fillings are similar to composite or tooth-colored fillings except that they are made in a dental laboratory and require two visits before being placed.
See Dr. Thiel before you have pain! Call for your preventive care appointment today.
A cavity doesn’t hurt or cause pain until it is close to or into the nerve. By that time, a more costly and time-consuming process will likely be needed. The best time to treat a cavity is when smaller areas of decay are present. That is why cleaning and exams are recommended at least twice a year.
To treat a cavity, Dr. Thiel will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then “fill” the removed area. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse.
See Dr. Thiel before you have pain! Call or contact us online for your preventive care appointment today.