Medical articles
Learn about the best types of dental fillings, advantages and disadvantages
Medical articles
Reviewed by: Dr. Doaa Saad Al-Qanbar is a general dentist

Dental fillings are one of the effective treatment methods in cases of tooth decay, which aims to rebuild the affected tooth and strengthen it in order to restore its attractive appearance and important vital functions. There is no doubt that the various preventive methods, including washing teeth with brush and paste, using floss, and visiting the doctor once every 6 months, avoid the risk of losing the natural fillings of your teeth, so let us discover their most important harms and types.

What are the types of dental fillings and their prices?

Dental fillings are used as one of the  therapeutic methods to overcome tooth decay and fill the holes and gaps that result from it.

  • Metal or platinum fillings: They are also known as traditional fillings, silver fillings, or amalgam fillings. The previous names are due to the nature of the filling’s composition, as its basic composition includes 50% mercury.
    It is the type used to treat problems associated with tooth decay for more than 1,000 years. It has also proven its effectiveness and stability for more than 15 years, in addition to its strength and durability, and its price makes it compatible with all types, but not many people want to get it, due to its color being different from the teeth, which makes it stand out.
  • Composite fillings: This type of dental filling has become popular recently, especially in the case of front tooth decay. This is due to its color, which resembles the natural color of teeth, due to the nature of its composition, as it contains glass particles in addition to transparent resin, or also known as epoxy.
    This type is called laser fillings, because a special light is used to activate the material and hold it in place. This type is characterized by its various cosmetic uses, in addition to the possibility of completing its installation in the same session.
  • Glass fillings: They are very similar to composite fillings, but they are not as strong, as they consist of fine particles of glass, in addition to acrylic, and are therefore used in specific cases, such as: treatment of tooth roots, and in children’s primary or temporary teeth that are replaced after a period.
    The lifespan of glass fillings may reach up to 5 years, like composite fillings, but they are much weaker, making them susceptible to breakage and corrosion. 

You may also be interested in:

 What are the best types of dental fillings?

It is not possible to determine what is the best type of dental fillings through information sent to everyone, but the matter is relative and varies greatly as it depends on the person’s condition, performing various medical examinations, and obtaining the accurate diagnosis that suits his condition to determine the best types, but we can provide a complete picture of the most important disadvantages and advantages of all types of braces used so that you can determine the right decision with your doctor. 

Here are the most important pros and features that will help you decide what is best for you, including: 

Advantages and disadvantages of traditional fillings?

Silver or amalgam fillings are widely used, which has several advantages, such as: 

  • Strength: Amalgam fillings are used for tooth decay in the back teeth, especially canines and molars, due to their strength and resistance.
  • Cost: There is no doubt that one of the factors that helped the spread of amalgam fillings is the low cost, which made it suitable for a large segment of people who want to treat caries problems and obtain healthy teeth at the lowest cost. 
  • Suitable for special medical cases: There is no doubt that one of the factors that contribute to the success of fillings is isolating the tooth to be treated appropriately away from saliva and oral fluids, but in some cases it may be difficult to avoid this point, so an amalgam filling is a suitable option for this case. 

But despite the previous advantages, there are a group of obstacles that may not make it the best choice for many people, such as: 

  • Aesthetic appearance: The silver appearance of the amalgam filling is one of the defects that affect the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, which makes it an unsuitable option for many people.

Read also: التهاب لثة الاسنان I عدوى تهدد بفقدان أسنانك

What are the best tips after filling a tooth?

A group of pains may occur after dental fillings, or the person may feel tooth sensitivity as a result of the material used in the filling. To overcome all the annoying symptoms that are expected to occur, we advise you to do the following: 

  • Adhere to the instructions of the treating physician, and attend agreed upon follow-up appointments to confirm the results.
  • Avoid chewing on the filling site for at least two hours.
  • Avoid cold or hot drinks for the first 24 hours after the procedure; 
  • Avoid bad habits that may harm dental health and accelerate the loss of fillings, including nail biting and using teeth to break down hard foods such as nuts. 
  • Taking care of dental health by using a suitable toothbrush. 
  • Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day correctly, in addition to using a suitable rinse to ensure that all food residues are removed from areas that are difficult for the toothbrush to reach, thus reducing the chances of plaque formation. 

احجز استشارتك الأن فى Dental center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Harmful effects of dental fillings?

There is no harm to dental fillings due to their importance in treating tooth decay. Rather, neglect or delay in treatment may lead to serious complications, but there are some side effects that may occur, such as:

  • Tooth sensitivity. 
  • Filling falling out. 
  • Loss of a large portion of healthy teeth during the installation of an amalgam filling. 

تعرف علي

Benefits of permanent dental filling?

Composite resin, ceramic, or metal fillings are used in designing permanent fillings because of their ability to withstand pressure for a long time. 

It also contributes to avoiding the aggravation of oral and dental problems that may lead to infections or loss of any of them.

White filling for teeth

It is usually used in the treatment of front teeth, as it has a color that closely resembles the natural color of the teeth, thus providing a more aesthetic appearance compared to metal fillings. 

White fillings have many distinctive properties, such as the ability to stick, which enhances their bond with the teeth, in addition to being mercury-free and therefore safer.

Permanent dental filling

Metal fillings made of resin last for more than 00 years, provided that you adhere to the correct tooth brushing and care habits, so be sure to visit your dentist regularly and adhere to a follow-up schedule. 

Frequently asked questions 

Are dental fillings painful?

Dental fillings are not a painful procedure at all, as the doctor uses local anesthesia to ensure pain relief during the session

How long does a dental filling last?

The duration of fillings' survival varies based on several factors, including type, amount of attention and care for oral and dental health after fillings, but they all range from 5 years, and may reach 15 years.

Does the filling cause an abscess?

Dental fillings cannot cause an abscess, unless they are installed without removing the entire affected layer, or if the filling is not installed properly, which opens the way for bacteria to become active and cause many problems.

What are the harms of dental fillings?

There are no significant harms to dental fillings, other than some minor side effects that follow the procedure, such as tooth sensitivity, but they quickly disappear.

Share the article
Read more
The best psychological rehabilitation programs in the world
Symptoms of diabetes in children: urination, thirst, hunger, emaciation and serious symptoms
Reasons from daily habits to diseases: causes of high blood pressure
Is it really possible to treat cumulative diabetes permanently?
Symptoms of the seventh nerve... How to detect signs of facial paralysis and deal with them
Psychological rehabilitation services: regain your activity and normal life
Subscribe now to the mailing list
Get the latest news, articles and events on your mailing list on a weekly basis
Concerned about your health?
Follow the latest articles. This is a medical article and does not replace the need to consult a doctor. You can book with the best doctors
🍀 Don't miss your reservation with our medical offers
Your health is our priority... and our offers are designed for you
00Days
:
00Hrs
:
00Min
:
00Sec