Cavities are an irreversible damage caused to the hardest and outermost covering of a tooth or the enamel. It leads to formation of tiny holes or openings on the tooth surface. In dental terminology it is also called tooth decay or caries. A lot of factors are responsible in formation of caries in your teeth. The factors include –
- Lack of oral hygiene
- Formation of harmful bacteria in the mouth
- Improper cleaning of the teeth and the overall mouth
- Indulgence in sugary foods and drinks
- Frequent snacking
Tooth decay or cavity formation in the tooth is one of the commonest issues all over the world related to oral health. The problem is very common not only among children but also among teens and older adults. The problem is also detected rampantly among infants. This is why dentists are of the opinion that anyone who has teeth may develop cavities and age is not a factor for developing this problem. The problem is treated with dental fillings.
In the modern times, there exist two types of fillings for the tooth. One is resin filling which is white in colour and resembles much like the natural colour of the tooth while the other is metal filling. These options automatically bring up the question – which of the two is better? The answer may sound like crazy but the fact is none of the two is right for dental patients. You may consult all the top-notch dentists in town and none of them would contradict the answer. In the following sections of the blog post let us explore more about these two types of dental fillings to understand their pros and cons.
White or tooth-coloured filling – the advantages it offers
These days the trend is white composite filling. Both dentists and patients prefer this over the other alternative. According to dentists associated with a highly trusted dental clinic in Wimbledon this variety of dental filling offers a number of benefits which include the following –
- Absolutely zero health risk associated with it
- It is possible to match this variety with the colour of the teeth so that the two can blend perfectly
- For most patients, the treatment procedure proves more comfortable when this white filling is used
- In comparison to silver or metal filling, this one causes less tooth sensitivity
White or tooth-coloured filling – the disadvantages
- Compared to silver filling, this one is more expensive
- The skill sets of a dentist are more vital while using white fillings to fill up cavities compared to that of silver fillings
- Procedures involving white fillings usually take up longer time
- White filling is not ideal for the teeth at the corners of the mouth because it does not tend to last long
- White filling does to react to teeth whitening products
- It is also easily prone to stain resulting from tea, coffee, tobacco and other sources
Metal or silver filling – the advantages it offers
Metal or silver filling procedure offers a number of benefits which can be summed up as following –
- The procedure requires much lesser time than that with white filling and is also known to cause lesser discomfort
- It is also much reasonably cost than the other alternative and thus more easily affordable
- Silver filling procedure does not require advanced tools and techniques
- Unlike white filling, it can withstand massive biting pressure of the teeth at the back
If you are looking for a fast, reliable, affordable and safe option to fill up your tooth cavity then this one is the more suitable option.
Metal or silver filling – the disadvantages
Silver or metal filling is also known to have some cons which include the following –
- The filling is likely to get expanded or contracted while coming in contact to hot and cold temperatures respectively. This may cause damage to the tooth structure surrounding the filling leading to long-term issues.
- Compared to resin filling or white filling, a greater part of the tooth structure has to be removed to prepare the tooth for silver or metal filling.
- In many cases patients complain of tooth sensitivity on having hot and cold foods and drinks. This continues for a period of time following placing of the filling in the mouth.
- Silver or metal filling is more prominent compared to the resin alternative. When you have silver filling in your teeth it is pretty easy to understand that some dental work has already been performed on your teeth.
- Silver fillings come with little traces of the metal Mercury. Although the proportion is considered safe, it might put some patient in anxiety as Mercury is potentially a toxic metal.
Considering all these factors, one should move cautiously in choosing the filling option for a tooth, suggests a renowned wimbledon dental practice. You should never take these decisions in haste. Rather, consider the cons and the pros carefully and then take an informed decision based on the facts shared through this blog post.
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