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Dentists in San Antonio often recommend dental fillings to patients with damaged teeth for a good reason. This dental procedure is a blessing for people who need to fix cavities in their teeth. While the average American has three dental fillings, about 25% of people have eleven or more fillings.

If you're worried that the procedure is invasive, you'll be surprised to learn that fillings involve a simple procedure you can finish in just one visit to the dentist's office. If you want to learn more about this procedure, here are some fillings for your teeth.

A Guide to Dental Fillings  

How Do Dental Fillings Work?  

Dentists provide a variety of fillings to treat cavities and tooth decay. It's important to remember that each choice has different strengths, colors, and maintenance requirements. It is best to discuss your options with your dental care provider before deciding on one for yourself.  

What Kinds of Fillings Are There?  

Different types of fillings are available from dentists to treat cavities. It's important to remember that each choice has different strengths, colors, and maintenance requirements. Therefore, discussing your options with your dental care provider before deciding on any is best.    

• Ceramic Fillings

Ceramic fillings are made of tooth-colored porcelain, much like composite fillings. These fillings are immune to staining, unlike composite fillings, which may do so over time. They may also be as expensive as gold fillings.  

• Ionomer Glass Fillings

Glass and acrylic are used to make glass ionomer fillings. They are typically employed to make fluoride-releasing cavity fillings that safeguard natural teeth. These fillings are less enduring than alternative options, though. You might need to replace them in five years as a result.  

• Filled With Amalgam  

Some dentists continue to use amalgam or silver-colored fillings, even though they have been around for over a century, to treat cavities in the molars where most chewing occurs. In addition, these fillings contain a mixture of metals, including copper, silver, tin, and mercury.

Amalgam fillings are the treatment of choice for patients looking for a more affordable solution to repair and restore their teeth. These fillings, however, don't match the color of teeth because they look metallic. They can therefore be seen whenever you laugh or smile.  

• Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are ideal for those who want the most natural finish because they are made to match the color of the patient's natural teeth. In addition, glass or quartz resin is typically used in dental composite fillings. Although these fillings work best for small to medium-sized cavities, there are better choices for teeth that receive a lot of wear and tear.

The chewing surfaces of the molars, or back teeth, fall under this category. Composite fillings, however, are used by dentists to repair cracked or chipped front teeth because they blend in well with the mouth. These fillings can only last up to 10 years in healthy patients, despite being more aesthetically pleasing than metal and amalgam fillings.

• Metal Fillings

Some individuals are okay with spending more money on metal fillings that stand out. One of their best features is that metal fillings can last up to 15 years or more. Silver and gold fillings are the most common options, but more patients favor gold than silver.  

Are You Looking for a Reliable Dentist in San Antonio?  

At La Cantera Dental, our team can help you choose the proper dental filling for your teeth. Give us a call today to learn more about the services we offer!