When it comes to repairing or restoring cracked, broken, or decayed area of a tooth, explore everything you need to know about dental fillings.

In the US, around 20 percent of people either never visit their dentist or reserve the trip for dental emergencies. Yet, the high-sugar diet of the average American also means that some, if not all, of those people likely need or, will need dental fillings.

Granted, some people avoid that kind of dental restoration out of a phobic response to the dentist or dread about the dental filling procedure. Others worry about the dental filling cost.

If you've never had a filling before, though, you may just wonder about the t types of dental fillings you can get from a Bayside NY dentist. If so, keep reading for a breakdown of the dental filling material options.

Metal Amalgam Fillings

For years, the metal amalgam filling was the standard dental filler. These fillings contain several different metals, including:

Silver
Zinc
Tin
Copper
Mercury

This was a popular choice because of its affordability and durability over time.

Composite

A more popular choice these days is plastic resin composite filling. These fillings go into the tooth while the composite is still in a soft state. Then, a special light hardens the composite in place.

People often prefer these to the silver amalgam fillings because you can get them color-matched to your teeth. That makes them a less conspicuous option.

If you want the low-visibility option, ask your dentist in Bayside, NY for the composite. The only downside is that the composite will often need replacement after 10 years or so.

Ceramic

Another dental filler option is a ceramic filling made from porcelain. These offer good stain resistance and durability. In fact, they're often more durable than composite fillings.

Ceramic fillings aren't as popular for a couple of reasons. The material falls a little on the brittle side, so it's only useful for larger fillings. It's also a more expensive option and can drive up your dental filling cost.

Gold

Believe it or not, gold is actually on the list of dental filling material options. They hold up well for around 15 years and are not corrosive, nor do they typically contain mercury. Given the known neurological problems associated with mercury, that makes a gold filling preferable for some patients.

Gold fillings are, however, a much more expensive option than any other filling material. Gold is noticeable. It may even come off as ostentatious, although gold fillings were quite common at one time.

In addition, you can't get a gold filling in one sitting. It usually requires two or more appointments for a gold filling.

Dental Fillings and You

The prospect of a dentist visit, let alone getting dental fillings, leaves a lot of people feeling cold. Yet, dental restoration at your Bayside NY dentist can relieve you of a lot of pain.

Plus, you even get some say about your dental filling material. While most people opt for composite fillings to keep costs reasonable, there are other options such as metal amalgam, ceramic, and even gold.

Radiant Dental Studio offers both general and cosmetic dentistry in the Bayside NY, area. For questions or to book an appointment, contact Radiant Dental Studio today.

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