Pros And Cons Of Gold Dental Fillings
by Harold Coleman
Dental filling materials can be used to fix both interior and surface holes in a tooth caused by trauma or decay. Gold fillings are one of the many types of filling materials available. Gold fillings have pros and cons specific to the material that can help you decide if the material is right for you. But ultimately the decision is one you should make in conjunction with advice from your general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry specialist who knows more about your particular needs.
Pro: Durable for Both Inlays and Onlays
There are two primary types of fillings: inlays and onlays. Inlays are entirely within the tooth, and enough natural tooth remains on the surface to take on the majority of the bite force for the tooth. An onlay filling is essentially a partial dental crown that fits over the bite surface of the tooth
Some dental filling materials are suitable only for an inlay type filling since the material isn't strong enough to take on the bite force of the tooth. Gold fillings are strong enough for onlay fillings but are also perfectly well suited for inlay feelings, as well.
The overall durability is important regardless of your type of filling. If you have a gold filling, you can be fairly sure that the material won't crack or become damaged under normal circumstances. And the tight fit of the filling can help prevent damaging bacteria from getting trapped inside the tooth and causing more damage.
Pro / Con: Higher Cost, Longer Lasting
Gold fillings are more expensive than the other standard metal alloy filling, metal amalgam, and many other filling materials. If upfront cost is your largest concern, then a gold filling might not be your best option.
But bear in mind that the durability of gold means the filling will likely last longer than many other materials. So you will save money in the long-run in not needing to have the filling replaced or repaired as soon.
Con: Highly Unnatural Look
The gold filling also isn't the best if you want a natural-looking filling. Gold fillings are gold and metallic. There's nothing tooth-like about the appearance. If the filled tooth is in the rear of your mouth, or you like the look of gold teeth, then this isn't going to be a huge problem.
But if you want a natural looking tooth, especially a naturally looking front tooth, you ought to go with one of the filling materials that can be dyed tooth colored like composite resin.
To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Mainwaring John D DDS.
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About Me
I have never liked my teeth. I had a lot of dental problems, including deep staining and oddly shaped teeth. Every tooth did not have the same shape, and some were rounded while others were more square. Not surprisingly, I never smiled in pictures and not even much in real life. This left people thinking I was mean before they even met me. My dentist told me my best bet to improve the look of my smile was a set of porcelain dental veneers. He said they could make all my teeth white and the same shape. I said I wanted them without any hesitation, and we scheduled my procedures. I love my new teeth, and they really did change my life. I created this blog to help other people living with teeth they don't like realize that they do have options that can improve their smiles and their lives.