Silver Amalgam Fillings
This is the most widely known throw in of filling.
Silver amalgam has disadvantages though.
It’s not aesthetically pleasing, so it isn’t a good choice for a highly visible tooth.
Pakorn Polachai / EyeEm / Getty Images
The material also can expand and contract over time, causing a tooth to crack.
Composite fillings don’t last as long as some other types.
They typically need to be replaced every five to 10 years.They are also pricier than silver.
Ceramic Fillings
These are made of porcelain and are both durable and aesthetically attractive.
These ceramic restorations are typically referred to as inlays or onlays.
Glass Ionomer Fillings
These glass-and-acrylic fillings are good forchildrenwhose teeth are still changing.
They release fluoride, which can help protect a tooth from further decay.
Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are expensive and not very common.
In fact, it can be difficult to find a dentist who’ll offer gold as an option.
What’s more, it takes more than one office visit to fit a gold filling properly.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam.
Bharti R, Wadhwani K, Tikku A, Chandra A.Dental amalgam: an update.Journal of Conservative Dentistry.
2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016
Lohbauer U.Dental glass ionomer cements as permanent filling materials?
properties, limitations and future trends.Materials.
2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076
American Dental Association.Fillings, gold (inlays).
