What Are the Four Types of Fillings? Which Type of Filling Is Best for Teeth

If your kid suffers from tooth decay, a familiar problem with children that requires fixing with dental fillings, you receive a recommendation from the pediatric dentist in Roanoke that your kid’s tooth is better filled as soon as possible to prevent further decay. However, after receiving the advice, you might wonder which type of dental filling you must consider getting for your child.

Dental fillers are available in four varieties, making it challenging for you to determine by yourself the filler your child must get in their affected tooth. Therefore you find it better to discuss the four types of dental fillers with the child’s pediatric dentist to ensure you make an informed decision. This article looks at the four types of dental fillers and which one suits your kid the best after considering various factors.

What Are the Four Types of Fillings?

The four dental fillers suitable for restoring teeth include silver amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer, and ceramic.

• Silver Amalgam Fillers: Mercury and silver help make amalgam fillings appear silver. Amalgam fillings have been used for over 100 years and are durable and robust. Silver fillings remain in the teeth for over 15 years and are an affordable solution. Unfortunately, these filters are not aesthetic and best suited for molars with excessive biting forces. These fillers are also bulky, requiring the pediatric dentist near you to prepare the cavity in your kid’s tooth before applying the filling.
• Composite Resin Fillers: If you want to provide your kid with the most durable dental fillers, available composite resin fillers are an investment you will not regret. Silica particles and quartz help make these fillers have a resemblance to the tooth color. After preparing your child’s tooth, whether molars or anterior the dentist applies the material in layers before hardening it with ultraviolet light. The dentist ensures they select a tooth-colored shade for your child to ensure the filling doesn’t affect their smile.
• Glass Ionomer Fillers: a combination of fluoroaluminosilicate glass and acrylic helps make glass ionomer fillings bonded to the teeth in a chemical reaction. Cavity preparation is not a requirement before receiving these fillers. Glass ionomer fillers are also beneficial because they help release fluoride to strengthen the tooth. Unfortunately, the materials are not durable and are best suited for approximately five years.
• Ceramic Fillers: cost is a consideration if you prefer ceramic fillings in your child’s tooth. Ceramic fillings are fabricated to match the tooth’s color needing the filling. These filings are durable and help minimize the risk of secondary cavities and retain the color of the natural teeth. Unfortunately, the fillings are incredibly expensive and require multiple visits to the dentist to receive them.

Which Type of Filling Is Best for Teeth?

The type of filling best suited for teeth depends on the area of decay, your budget, and the recommendation of the dentist 24018 about which filling material is best suited for children’s teeth.

For example, if your child has a cavity on a front tooth, the pediatric dental office in Roanoke will likely recommend tooth-colored composite resin fillings that are durable and affordable, although more expensive than silver amalgam fillings. In addition, the dentist ensures your child’s smile is not affected by a cavity on their front teeth.

The dentist might also recommend tooth-colored fillings on molars for children because they don’t require intensive tooth structure removal before placement or downtime before your child can start eating with the affected tooth. Silver amalgam fillings are generally recommended for molars in adults despite their unaesthetic appearance because of their durability. Unfortunately, they require some time to harden, and children might not be patient until their tooth recovers from the procedure. In contrast, composite resin filling requires no downtime because the filler hardens soon after placement allowing your child to start using the tooth immediately after fixing it.

If restoring your child’s decayed tooth becomes inevitable, you help yourself and your child by getting them the treatment as soon as possible to prevent the cavity from aggravating. Better still, you derive immense benefits if you educate your child to maintain appropriate dental hygiene practices by limiting the consumption of children’s favorite sugary and starchy foods and beverages and getting them regular exams and cleanings to prevent cavities from developing in their teeth.

Kids First Dental — Roanoke restores children’s teeth using dental fillers appropriate for them without impacting their smiles. If your child needs dental fillers for a cavity, kindly schedule an appointment with this practice to fix their teeth.