"White" Fillings?
White Composite/plastic fillings are very technique sensative. There are almost as many philosophies and schools of thought on how to properly place a white fillings as there are brands of material. That is to say they are as good as the dentist putting them in. They don't last as long as amalgam. They are more expensive. there is no one regulating the quality of Placement keeping an existing metal filling is a safer bet. P.S. Mr Acid Bath I don't know you, But I love you.
White filling is still sensitive after 4-5 months?
pretty much this same thing happened to me at the beginning of this year. i got a composite filling for a small cavity and the sensitivity wasn't going away. a few weeks after i got it filled, i went back to my dentist and after he checked everything and all was normal, he suggested that i use ACT restoring mouthwash w/ fluoride. he told me that some people are more sensitive after fillings and this is especially true w/ composite fillings (i was also bleaching my teeth which is known to cause sensitivity too). the mouthwash helped a little, but several months later it was still bothering me a little bit. the pain did diminish over time. i am also using a prescription toothpaste for sensitivity (i actually got this from my ortho bc i just got braces so it wasn't for the tooth that has the filling but, i have noticed that it has helped that filled tooth - i think it may be bc it has a higher % of fluoride? i don't really know, just my guess). so, maybe if the sensodyne doesn't work, you could ask for and try a prescription toothpaste before paying the ridiculous amt for a root canal lol. as of today, it is pretty much normal but there will be some days where i still have pain. hope this helps a little! good luck! :]
Is amalgam better then white fillings? and Why?
Amalgam is stronger than composite, so it's used more frequently in posterior teeth. The crushing strength is also higher, so it can take the pressure of chewing... Obviously you wouldn't put an amalgam filling in an anterior tooth, unless it's on the lingual surface. For some reason dentists used to do this years ago following endodontic treatment, but I think the 'current' material is now composite.
Which is better the silver or white fillings?
Both amalgam (silver/mercury) and composite (white) fillings have their pros and cons, and a decision has to be made by the dentist on each particular case. There is a growing demand for composites, but I would be wary of a dentist who promoted his business on the basis that he only does white fillings. If he is not considering alternatives for each treatment situation, then he is doing a disservice to the patient. Amalgams have been in use since 1880s. Very durable, can be used in all sorts of situations, inexpensive, relatively easy to use, ugly colour. Does not shrink when setting. Composites came out in the early 1970s. They are a complex chemical reaction with a setting contraction and in the correct situation, can be very good, but dentist has to pay careful attention to how he uses it or it will fail. More expensive than amalgam because of the more difficult technique, but still reasonable. Are more prone to failure than amalgam, and much more likely to give post-op pain (see other Dental Answers). I think it is too simplistic to say one material is ALWAYS better than the other, and I would suggest you seek a dentist who uses both types, and is willing to discuss his choices with you.
What color is amalgam for dental filling?
Amalgam is a metal composite. Currently, dental amalgams are composed of about 40% mercury, and 60% powder -- the powder being silver, tin, copper, and zinc. Amalgam has many advantages over other restorative material, such as low cost, strength, durability, and antibacterial effects. Its main disadvantages are they don't look very good and the known toxicity of mercury. Concerns about possible detrimental health effects from the low levels of mercury released from amalgam have resulted in a decline in the routine use of amalgam in recent years. The filling that you received is a composite resin -- consisting of a resin-based matrix, such as a bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate BISMA resin like urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), and an inorganic filler such as silicon dioxide silica. Compositions vary widely, with proprietary mixes of resins forming the matrix, as well as engineered filler glasses and glass ceramics. The filler gives the composite wear resistance and translucency. A coupling agent such as silane is used to enhance the bond between these two components. The dental composite resin is much more pleasing to the eye and almost as durable as metal without the health risks. Since the metal fillings are less expensive than the composite resin ones, your dental office was doing you a favor by charging you only for the metal one. It could also be an insurance thing. I have a crown on a back tooth that is porcelain over metal. The insurance company had a hard time covering any porcelain on a molar, so the dentist worked with them to get it covered, probably explained how it had metal underneath -- making it stronger. That's why the insurance companies will sometimes not cover the resin fillings or porcelain crowns -- durability. Metal is stronger than resin or porcelain, but the white ones look so much better! I have no visible metal in my mouth (I only have that one metal with porcelain overlay, but the metal doesn't show), and I really like that.
How much do fillings cost without dental insurance?
So, I went to the dentist today and got a regular cleaning done. The dentist told me I had 4 small cavities. Her prices for fillings are Composite(white) fillings - $150 per tooth Silver fillings - $80 per tooth I don't have dental insurance. I was wondering if her prices are expensive or not? Should I go to another dentist and check for the prices there? Thanks
If my dentist recommends a ceramic filling over an amalgam filling but the latter is NHS and £60 cheaper, is ceramic really the better option?
Based only on personal experience, ceramic >> composite > amalgam, even in cost terms.My last amalgam filling actually damaged the tooth it was in, because it’s malleable and ultimately it splintered the tooth. I’ve had a number of composite fillings, which look fine and have been fairly durable. However, they come in two parts - a glass base and a sealant layer; the sealant tends to crack or wear away and needs replacing.A ceramic filling is fundamentally different. The dentist takes a mold of your tooth and your bite and a lump of zirconium is milled to the exact shape needed. It’s harder than enamel and exactly fits your bite pattern. Once it’s been done, it should last indefinitely.A ceramic is more expensive up front, but will last much longer than the alternatives; on that basis it should be cheaper in the long run, but it also looks, feels and works better.
Are white fillings as good as metal or gold? How long do tooth colored fillings last?
There has been much scientific research to show that metallic fillings are much stronger than composite fillings (the usual material white fillings are made from). I think it would be an undisputed fact that amalgam and gold have superior physical properties when it comes to compressional force. White fillings when done properly can last for a very long time, but good case selection is required. A large white filling in a high load bearing area may fail because of the forces that it has to withstand. in this case a crown or onlay/inlay (can be made of many materials) may be better than a white filling. Crowns and onlays/inlays tend to be better than fillings of any sort. The main disadvantage of metallic ones is that they don't match your tooth colour very well. but they tend to withstand the forces applied where white fillings would fail (in cases where a crown may be required but a filling is placed instead) There are many peer reviewed scientific articles in reputable dental journals which have long term studies on a large number of cases which have shown that amalgam fillings tend to last alot longer and have less incidence of decay later. Summary, white fillings are a good long term option if maintained and done with alot of care. But they need to be placed appropriately. Metallic fillings can be more forgiving in larger sized fillings in high load bearing areas. If white fillings are to be used in these situations, crowning with porcelain or zircon may be the permanent answer to this deficiency.