A cavity can cause serious problems. Proper filing of the cavities not only gives the worn out shine but also prevents the bacteria that causes decay of the tooth. For many years, the silver fillings have been the choice of dentists. With technology advancing, dentists now use more advanced ways like composite, porcelain, gold and lab processed restoration fillings.

People now choose dental fillings that go along with the teeth. The tooth coloured fillings give more durability and are more attractive.

Well, the Silver amalgam fillings contain about 35% silver, 50% mercury and traces of tin and zinc. There is also a possibility that the silver fillings expand with time causing cracks in the teeth. Moreover, the silver fillings can enter the blood stream through the nerves and blood vessels in the teeth.

Involving low risks, the tooth coloured fillings do not wear out easily and provide strength to the teeth. These resin fillings, bonded to the tooth, use the same materials that are used in dental bonding. The materials used in composite fillings are quartz microfilled particles with small particles of aluminum, barium or zirconium. These composite fillings are fitted to the structure and so there is less chance of leaching to the blood vessels. In recent years Conquest Crystal is found to be more effective in composite fillings. A great advantage of composite filling is that people will not know if you have fillings. These composite fillings last up to ten years. These composite fillings also wear out. But there is no need to remove the whole fillings and replace it with new ones. A resurfacing can bring back the whiteness and durability.

Dentists now prefer the porcelain fillings, which retain the whiteness, strength and beauty of your teeth. Porcelain filings come in two types inlays and onlays. The partial crowning is the onlay filling and the inlay fit into the cavity. Made of porcelain ceramics, the porcelain fillings are indirect fillings. These fillings are custom made for the particular damaged tooth. Much stronger, the Porcelain fillings have the longest durability about 30 years. Well, as the porcelain fillings do not have the elasticity, they can fracture.

There are also Porcelain-fused-to-Metal fillings, which are stronger and durable than the all-alone porcelain fillings. These fillings provide more strength to a crown or bridge. The metal supportive structure gives the porcelain more strength.

Then there are the lab processed restoration fillings, which are also harder. Generally the lab processed restoration fillings are used to fill big cavities. Here the white fillings are baked and cemented to the teeth, which are stronger and are more durable. The wearing out is minimal when lab processed restoration fillings are used.

If you have a good budget, you can go for gold fillings. The gold fillings come in varying qualities. The different gold fillings have different additional metals like copper, silver, platinum, tin, palladium, zinc and indium. Nowadays, people prefer to fill their teeth with high quality gold fillings.

The Base Metal Alloys, which has a silver shining, are also used to fill the decayed cavities. Resistant to corrosion, they are also strong.

Mercury comes with amalgam fillings and a lot of concern about using it has been debated. People have even attributed Alzheimers and Multiple Sclerosis to dental amalgam, which has mercury. But researches and studies have not reported any harm. Just like the sodium and chlorine, which are hazardous in their pure state, combined together to make table salt, the mercury when combined with other metals are not harmful.

With advanced technology, Glass ionomers are also used to fill the decayed cavities. The Glass Ionomers are tooth-coloured, translucent materials made of a mixture of acrylic acids and fine glass powders. The Glass ionomers also release a small amount of fluoride, which is helpful for the teeth that have high risk of decaying. These fillings are used where the chewing is low. Normally it is used to fill on the roots of the teeth.

It is always better to consult your dentist before you choose the fillings. He would be able to guide you to the best filling choice. However, dental fillings do not come cheap. But if you want a pleasing smile, then money should not be a problem. With dental fillings, you have a whitening smile on your face.