Welcome to Marcel Dental Medical Specialist Dental Clinic

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Dental fillings are a type of restoration. Dentists use fillings to fill an area on the tooth after any decayed material has been removed. The filling material will protect against more damage. Fillings are also useful in helping to repair cracked or broken teeth.

Fillings do much more than just fix cavities. They can match and improve the esthetics of your teeth, and many types of fillings can release fluoride to help safeguard your tooth from decay. Strong fillings can also strengthen your tooth against future infection, especially after a root canal. And they can also improve tooth function by making chewing and eating less painful and difficult.

So smile and eat in comfort again with a firm, trusty filling.

There are several different materials that tooth fillings can be made of. Dentists can use fillings made of:

• Gold
• Silver amalgam
• Porcelain
• Composite resin
• Glass ionomer

Silver amalgam and gold have the same advantages and disadvantages, although gold is more noticeable than silver. Gold is also more expensive than most other materials and may require more than one office visit.

Porcelain lasts longer than metal or resin fillings and is more esthetic; however, it can be more expensive.

Composite resin fillings are a white color that matches your tooth’s shade. Although adjusted to fit your bite, they are not meant to be large and break under pressure. They are perfect for smaller cavities that need to be filled.

Glass ionomer is weaker than most options and does not last as long; however, it does release fluoride that can help protect teeth from further decay. This material is often used for fillings that are below the gum line.

Your dentist will go over which filling type she thinks is best for your teeth.

How long precisely your fillings will last depends on several factors. The materials used will play a significant role in durability, as well as the cavity size and personal oral hygiene habits. Keep in mind that fillings aren’t a permanent fix. With proper care, your fillings will last many years, sometimes even decades. Each filling material has its own unique average life expectancy. On average, gold fillings can last between 15 to 30 years. Silver amalgam fillings last less, between 10 to 15 years. Composite resin fillings, on average, have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

The good news is that these are averages. Patients can extend the life of their fillings with proper oral care.