Types of Dental Fillings

In the current dental marketplace, you do not have to accept an inferior product as a tooth filling. As our expert in dental fillings in Beverly Hills has noted, patients have trended away from metallic in recent years, preferring the natural simplicity of tooth-colored fillings. But you can still take your pick. Below are some common types of dental fillings, and their characteristics.

Amalgam

These are typically stowed in back teeth, as they are not very visual. Amalgam fillings contain a mix of tin, zinc and other materials, and are not tooth-colored. They are a less costly alternative, and hold up well to bite forces.

Gold

Gold fillings are still around, despite having fallen out of fashion. They are incredibly strong, but cost a lot more than the other fillings.

Composite

Between amalgam and gold in price are the tooth-colored composites, which are steadily outpacing the other products due to their realism. Composites can be color-matched to your teeth. Their only negative is their shorter shelf life (about 5 years).

Glass Ionomers

These fillings are used a lot by pediatric dentists, as they are better for kids whose dental maps are still emerging. They can also contain fluoride, making them a strong anti-decay resource.

Our cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills can help you choose which type of filling is best for you.