What are the Pros and Cons of Undergoing Dental Tooth Filling?
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29 April 2022

What are the Pros and Cons of Undergoing Dental Tooth Filling?

Dental fillings are the eponymous heroes who rescue smiles by filling up cavities when tooth decay strikes. Dental fillings are the most frequent restorative dental treatment, and chances are you have had one or more done on your teeth.  

 

What is a dental filling? 

 

Dental fillings are single or composite materials used to repair or replace teeth. Your dentist will remove the decayed part of your tooth, and after filling it with a filling, you will be able to replace it.  

In addition to fillings, tooth restoration may also require fillings that have been worn due to usage. It primarily applies when teeth have been cracked or shattered in nail-biting or tooth grinding. 

 

What materials are used in dental materials? 

 

It is evident if you wonder which type of materials can be used for tooth fillings. Here we have written the materials retained in the dental filling. Read below: 

  • Porcelain  
  • Gold 
  • Silver amalgam (it contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc and copper).  
  • Tooth colored plastic and glass materials are called composite resin fillings.  

 

The filling that best meets your needs is determined by the location and extent of the decay, the cost of filling material, your insurance coverage, and your dentist’s suggestion.  

 

Temporary fillings that you need  

 

Tooth pain can occur anytime, and it is an unbearable pain that cannot be explained in words. You need a temporary tooth filling that can somehow heal your pain.   

  • The placement of gold and indirect composite fillings may require more than one sitting. 
  • You may need to follow the root canal procedure. 
  • It allows the nerve of your tooth to calm down if the pulp becomes inflamed.  
  • If you require emergency dental care such as addressing a toothache. 

 

Temporary fillings are only supposed to last a short time. They generally fall out, shatter, or wear out within a month. Do not miss your scheduled appointment to have your temporary filling replaced with a permanent one. If you don’t, your tooth may get infected and experience additional problems. If you are worried about its consequences, you can read below the advantages and disadvantages of tooth fillings before undergoing permanent tooth fillings.  

 

Pros and cons of dental filling:  

 

Every procedure has consequences whether you are going through a minor or major treatment. Various dental filling types differ in terms of material used, the location of the mouth they are most suited to treat, how much they cost and how much they have longevity as far as pros and cons.  

Here are listed below the different treatments of dental tooth filling with the pros and cons.  

 

Composite resin  

 

  • Types of material: fine glass particle and plastic mixture  
  • Used for: small and large fillings that are visible  
  • Cost: Pretty expensive than amalgam but not more than gold  
  • Longevity: up to 6 years. 

 

Pros   Cons  
For this, only one visit is required.   More costly than amalgam fillings.  
It appears to be natural.  It can diminish in size and leave gaps, leading to new cavities.  
Heat-cured bond with high strength.  The procedure may take longer than with other forms of filings. 
Directly bonded to the tooth.   

 

Ceramic  

 

  • Types of material: Porcelain. 
  • Used for: veneers, implants, inlays and onlays. Orthodontic bracelets, crowns.  
  • Cost: equal to gold. 
  • Longevity: up to 7 years. 

 

Pros   Cons  
Stain-resistant compared to composite resin.  It is less durable and more prone to shatter than composite resin.  
Natural appearance and feel.  To avoid breakage, it must reduce the size of the teeth.  

 

Glass Ionomer  

 

  • Types of material: glass + acrylic 
  • Used for: cement for inlay fillings, baby teeth, front teeth fillings, around the neck of teeth, and roots.  
  • Cost: equal to composite resin 
  • Longevity: up to 5 years  

 

Pros   Cons  
It provides a natural color.   This treatment is not as intense as composite resin.  
It bonds directly to the teeth, so decay risk is minimized.  This treatment will take you much more time than other treatments.  
It quickly reduces fluoride.   

 

Amalgam  

 

  • Types of material: mercury, copper, tin, zinc, and silver.  
  • Used for: primarily for back teeth 
  • Cost: not very expensive  
  • Longevity: up to 10 years 

 

Pros   Cons  
It is pocket-friendly.   It Does not directly bind with the tooth. 
When compared to other filler kinds, it is less susceptible to moisture.  Some people are allergic to mercury. 
The sort of filler should be able to endure chewing.  Tarnishes/discolors with time. 
In most cases, they can accomplish it in a single visit.  The kind of filler should be able to stay chewing. 

 

Gold  

 

  • Types of materials: gold and other metals 
  • Used for: inlays, outlays, and crowns 
  • Cost: it is more expensive than others. 
  • Longevity: more than 15 years 

 

Pros   Cons  
It is long-lasting and durable.  When putting adjacent amalgam fillings, galvanic shock has been reported. 
It has a unique aesthetic appearance.  It Does not match the color of your natural teeth.  
It will not rust.  You will need to give two long sittings with this procedure.  

 

Conclusion  

I hope you were able to easily learn about all the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing tooth filling procedure. Drop a comment below if you have any further queries.