What type of filling material is used for a large cavity?

Dentists have been using amalgam fillings for decades. These fillings combine mercury, silver, copper, and tin. Amalgam fillings are a great choice for people looking for a strong and long-lasting option.

What type of cavity filling is best?

Composite fillings are an attractive option because they can be closely matched to the color of your teeth. However, composite fillings are more expensive than silver amalgam fillings and are not as durable. Ceramic fillings are made of porcelain and are a very aesthetically pleasing option that is also very durable.

Can you get a white filling for a cavity?

White fillings, or dental composite, refers to tooth-colored resins your dentist can use to fill tooth cavities. This composite resin uses a blend of plastics and fillers such as silica and dimethylglyoxime to quite literally ‘bond’ with the tooth’s surface.

What is a porcelain filling?

What are Porcelain Fillings? Porcelain fillings are another option for filling in a cavity. They are made of oxygen and silicon that have been compounded into a non-crystalline glass. Unlike silver, they can be shaded to be tooth-colored.

Can you replace silver fillings with white fillings?

Can I change my silver fillings to white? Yes, silver fillings can be replaced with white fillings but other options such as inlays and onlays may be more suitable when the filling is large.

Can you put a white filling over a silver filling?

The quick answer is that you can’t. Silver fillings need to be replaced, not covered as the effect is going to be nil.

Which filling is better composite or amalgam?

Composite is the best choice if you want the most natural finish possible and for your fillings to be unnoticeable. They may not last quite as long as amalgam fillings, but the compromise is their beauty and the elimination of mercury-related health concerns.

What is the safest tooth filling material?

Amalgam or silver fillings have long been considered the best option for dental fillings because they are affordable and durable. In fact, they can last for years with proper care. But, recently a debate has been brewing about silver fillings. Are fillings made of amalgam that contain mercury safe for patients?

Do most dentists use white fillings?

These days, white fillings are the standard among most dental offices. There are two reasons for this: white fillings just look more natural than silver fillings, and white fillings are much safer than their silver counterparts.

How long will a white filling last?

White fillings don’t last as long as silver fillings, and on average sustain for about 7-10 years. Nonetheless, they’re still an incredibly strong, successful treatment for most cavities.