Composite (white) fillings and amalgam (silver) fillings are the two most typical dental filling materials used in pediatric dentistry. How do you choose the right filling for your child? Make sure that you visit a children’s dentist in Cumming, GA. Here is all the information you need to understand about the different fillings used in pediatric dentistry:
What exactly is a dental filling?
Dental fillings are employed to repair damaged teeth and fill cavities in them. When germs accumulate on a tooth, the enamel, the tooth’s outer coating, begins to deteriorate, creating cavities.
The cavity becomes a tiny hole as it extends further into the tooth. At this point, a dental filling, also known as a cavity filling, is required to close the gap. To stop additional harm, the tooth must also be cleansed.
Dental filling types
Dental amalgam silver fillings and composite resin fillings are the two most popular types of fillings.
- Composite fillings
Composite fillings are tooth-colored and constructed of plastic, glass, and resin. They are the kind of filler we use the most frequently for kids. For a less obvious, more authentic look than amalgam fillings, there is an incorporation of resin fillings.
Pros:
- White fillings, often known as composite fillings, blend in almost perfectly with neighboring teeth.
- Children can use composite as a safe and reliable dental filling material.
- Because of the material’s tight bond with teeth, they are sturdy and less prone to shift.
- Most of the native tooth framework is maintained.
Cons:
- The cost of composite fillings is higher than that of amalgam fillings.
- It can be difficult to install composite fillings since they take longer to set than amalgam fillings if small children are not consciously sedation.
- Filled with a silver filling:
A combination of metals called amalgam includes mercury, tin, and silver. Amalgam fillings are often robust and long-lasting, but they are conspicuous and might increase sensitivity in the teeth.
Pros:
- Large cavities and most other locations where tooth structure has been lost can be filled with amalgam.
- Amalgam is resilient and stands the test of time well to biting forces.
- Some of the least expensive fillings are made of silver.
Cons:
- Amalgam is visible in the mouth because it has a silver hue.
- The mercury found in silver fillings, which is harmful to humans, makes up about 50% of the total composition.
- Amalgam can grow and shrink, leading to cracks and even putting a strain on the teeth over time.
