What Are The Different Types of Dental Fillings?

What happens if your tooth develops a cavity? Restorative dentistry in Charleston, SC, can help bring back your tooth’s integrity, strength, and function. Dentists usually recommend dental fillings to treat tooth decay.

In this procedure, your dentist will remove your tooth’s decayed portion leaving behind an empty hole. A dental filling is used to fill up the space to maintain your tooth’s strength and prevent future decay. There are different materials used in filling in space. Let’s check out 2 of the most common filling materials used in the dental industry.

What Are 2 of the Most Common Types of Dental Fillings?

Silver Amalgam Fillings

The most popular dental filling in restorative dentistry in Charleston, SC, is a silver amalgam. Silver amalgam isn’t made of 100% silver. 50% of the mixture is composed of copper, zinc, tin, and silver, while the remaining 50% is mercury. This is the ideal choice for most patients because silver amalgam is durable, strong, and economical. According to research, silver amalgam can last up to 12 years and more. It’s also the easiest to apply, which is why dentists prefer it since there’s very little chance it can get contaminated by saliva or blood. Perhaps the only drawback of silver amalgam is its obvious appearance because of the glaring silver color.

Composite Fillings

Another in-demand filling in Restorative Dentistry in Charleston, SC, is composite filling. A composite filling is a combination of plastic and resin used to fill up space in your tooth. The material is soft, but your dentist will use a curing light to harden and set in your tooth. This is the preferred filling choice of most patients because the color blends seamlessly with the shade of natural teeth. In terms of aesthetics, composite fillings outshine silver amalgam. However, they need to be replaced after 5 to 10 years. In terms of cost, a composite filling is pricier.

Do You Need Restorative Dentistry in Charleston, SC?

Do you have cavities that need to be filled in? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. At North Rivers Dental Associates, we offer comprehensive dental care to all our patients. We offer restorative, preventive, and cosmetic dental care at competitive prices. To learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to give us a call or book an appointment by visiting our website.