Disadvantages and advantages of different types of dental fillers

Dental fillers are used to fill tooth cavities caused by fractures or decay. Various materials can be used to fill teeth, such as gold, ceramic, composite, amalgam, and other materials, depending on the extent of decay, the budget, insurance coverage, and dental conditions. Here's a few basic facts about a stomp pad and how it is used.

Filling teeth with gold

The advantages of gold filling are:

1- High durability - This type of filling lasts at least 10 to 15 years and usually lasts longer than this. It does not corrode gold and does not suffer from problems over time.
2- Strength - Gold tolerates severe jaw pressure well and does not break under this pressure.
3- Beauty - Some people love the beauty of gold and prefer it to other types of filling.

Disadvantages of gold filling include:

1- High cost - The cost of gold filling teeth treatment is higher than all other fillers and its price is more than ten times that of amalgam. So if you want to fill a large portion with gold, the main thing to consider is the cost.
2- One to two sessions - For this type of treatment, you should see a dentist for at least two sessions, so it is not considered immediate treatment.

3- Galvanic shock - If the tooth that is filled with gold is immediately adjacent to the filling of amalgam (silver color), it may cause sharp pain caused by galvanic shock. The interaction between this metal and silver creates an electric current. However, this is rare.
4 - Beauty - Although beauty can be an advantage for gold filling, but for many people it is a problem because they do not like everyone to notice the restoration of their teeth and prefer to use the same color restoration.
 

Teeth fill with silver amalgam

The advantages of filling teeth with amalgam are:

1- High durability - Amalgam filling materials, which we know as silver color, last at least 10 to 15 years.
2- Strength - Amalgam can easily withstand the pressure of the jaw.
3- Cost - These types of restorative materials are the cheapest materials and have the lowest cost for the patient.

Disadvantages of amalgam filling include:

1- Lack of beauty - The first problem for most people is the metallic color, which makes others see tooth restoration when they talk and laugh. However, you can use a layer of white composite on it to make the teeth the same color.
2 - Need to shave more teeth - To fill the tooth with amalgam, a larger part of the healthy structure of the tooth must be shaved to create enough space.
3- Color change - Amalgam may cause gray color in adjacent teeth.
4 - Cracks and fractures - Although all teeth contract and expand under the influence of cold and heat and may eventually crack or break, amalgam is more likely to contract and expand than other dental fillings. It is more likely to crack or separate from the tooth wall.
5 - Allergy reaction - a very small percentage of people (approximately 1%) are allergic to mercury in amalgam.
The mercury in amalgam produces a very small amount of mercury in the form of vapor that is inhaled and absorbed by the lungs. High levels of mercury vapor cause serious complications in the brain and kidneys, but research shows that amalgam filling does not pose a health problem, and its use from the age of 6 onwards is completely safe.

The advantages of composite filling are:

1- Beauty - The color of these materials can be chosen exactly the same color as the rest of the tooth structure. The composite is perfect for front teeth that are visible.
2 - Gluing to the teeth - One of the important points in filling teeth is that the filling materials adhere well to the structure of the tooth and there is no gap between restorative materials and teeth because if there is the smallest seam, bacteria will enter and They grow in a completely safe and hidden space, causing infection and decay. The composite establishes a chemical bond with the tooth structure and adheres well to the tooth.

3- Multifunction - In addition to filling decay, composite can also be used to repair fractures and fillings or tooth decay.
4 - Less need to grind teeth - Usually in filling teeth with composite less than other methods there is a need to grind teeth, so it is less invasive.
5 - Immediate - This treatment can be done in just one session and does not require several sessions.

Disadvantages of composite fillings include:

1- Low durability - Unfortunately, this type of dental restoration is depreciated much earlier than amalgam and lasts an average of 5 years. In addition, it can't withstand as much pressure as amalgam and gold, so it's not suitable for back teeth and teeth that need extensive filling.
2 - Long time to sit on the chair - Since the process of filling teeth with composite takes time, it may take 20 minutes longer than amalgam.
3- Filling or breaking the lip - As mentioned, the strength of the composite is lower than that of amalgam, so it may fill or break under the pressure of the lip.
4- It costs more than amalgam - Composite is more expensive than amalgam and costs almost twice as much, although it is cheaper than gold and ceramic.

Fill the tooth with ceramic

Ceramic fillers are used in inches or inches. The advantages of ceramic filling are:

1- More beauty - Dental ceramics look quite like enamel because it is designed to reflect and penetrate light similar to real teeth. For this reason, aesthetics is the best type of tooth restoration.
2- High durability - Ceramic used to fill teeth is very strong and durable and can withstand jaw pressure. However, it may be less resistant than amalgam.

3- Resistant to discoloration - Ceramic, unlike composite, is resistant to discoloration and does not stain. However, unlike composite, it may be abrasive to the front teeth if not properly polished.
4- Long service life - Ceramic repairs last more than 15 years.

Disadvantages of ceramic filling are:

1- High cost - Sometimes the cost of ceramic restoration may be as much or even higher than gold restoration.
2 - Need two or more sessions - To repair the tooth with Inley or Anli more than one session you should see a dentist because the restoration should be done in the laboratory.
 

Fill the tooth with a glass ionomer

Glass ionomer is made of acrylic and a special type of glass. These materials are mostly used to fill the surface under the gums and fill children. The ionomer releases fluoride glass, which is effective in preventing tooth decay. However, glass ionomer resistance is less than composite resin and is more prone to wear and tear. Newer types of glass ionomers are improving and are more durable.