Dental fillings: types and features, which are better

After treatment of the tooth, the crown is restored with a variety of special materials. Modern methods of creating most types of fillings are uncomplicated. Materials allow you to form the missing fragments of the crown, to restore dental fissures - cusps on the upper plane of the teeth. Let's consider the main types of fillings.

Types and features of dental fillings

Dental fillings come in temporary and permanent forms. In the process of treatment, sometimes it is necessary to put a medication or disinfectant, arsenic, into the cavity of the tooth. In such cases, install a temporary filling made of cement or a special composition, which is easy to remove. Most often polymers, cement fillings made of silicate, phosphate and glass ionomer are used for such tasks.

Permanent fillings are made of durable materials. Their service life is about 5-7 years. Metal fillings can last up to 15-20 years.

Materials of fillings and their properties:

• Composite consists of composite resins, porcelain or ceramic filler. This is the most common base for dental fillings and is applied in layers. It is cured under an ultraviolet lamp. The material bonds well to the tooth tissue and matches the natural color of the teeth. Over time, some composite fillings may turn yellow and shrink if they are made from an inferior material.
• Copolymers are a combination of cement and polymer. Photosensitive materials retain a shade similar to the natural color of the teeth. Copolymers are used for front teeth because they are brittle.
• Silicate is a composition of special glass and orthophosphoric acid, fluoride. It is important to keep in mind that orthophosphoric acid can harm the pulp of children.
• Glass ionomer with composite is a mixture of acrylic and composite resins and fluoride. A filling from this material is formed in layers. It hardens by exposure to blue light. The peculiarity of the glass ionomer-composite composition is that it prevents the formation of caries.
• Gold metal alloy is non-toxic, lasts about 20 years, and is durable. However, the tooth from such a filling has the color of this metal and is highly visible. Gold fillings are expensive and few clinics install them.
• Amalgam is an alloy of silver, mercury, zinc, and tin. These fillings are rarely used. This composition of the material is not safe for health, because it contains metals harmful to humans, corrodes.

How to choose a filling

The type of filling material is chosen according to the type of tooth to be restored. For molars, durable composite photopolymer compositions, cement materials are used. Composite fillings and glass ionomers are used for molars and premolars. Front teeth are restored with polymers. Cement fillings are often used for children's teeth because they can be handled quickly.

For a filling to be safe and of high quality, you turn to an experienced dentist. Various types of filling materials are available at the clinic, and a specialist will choose the right filling.