Restorative Dentistry
What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is concerned with the care of patients who require restoration of the oral and dental tissues.
Types of Restorative Fillings:
The pros and cons of some common types of fillings are as follows:
Gold: Gold fillings are sturdy and non-corrosive; they can last up to 15 years. Many people find gold fillings more aesthetically pleasing than silver fillings. But gold fillings can cost as much as 10 times more than silver amalgam fillings, and it takes more than one office visit to fit them properly.
Silver amalgam: Silver amalgam fillings offer strength and durability similar to gold at lower cost, but many people don’t like the look of them. Also, amalgam fillings can be more prone to expansion and contraction and thus they are more likely to cause a tooth to crack compared with other filling materials.
Composite/Tooth colored Fillings: Made of a tooth-colour composite are popular because the colour can be matched to your teeth. Composite fillings are not as durable as metal fillings and they may need to be replaced after five years, compared with 10 or 15 years for metal fillings. They are more expensive than amalgam fillings, although not as expensive as gold fillings.
Glass ionomers: These glass fillings usually last less than five years, but they are often a good choice for children whose teeth are still changing. Also, they can release fluoride, which can help prevent tooth decay.