Smaller Dental Restorations

The majority of gold used in dental fillings today is actually a mixture of gold with other metals, called gold alloy. However, these metals typically do not contain mercury such as amalgam filling restorations. In some cases, such as with direct gold fillings, pure gold is used to fill teeth. However, pure gold is generally only appropriate for teeth that don’t need to withstand biting or chewing forces.

Gold is an excellent material for smaller dental restorations, such as small cavities and inlays and onlays. It doesn’t require as much removal of your natural tooth structure to place the material, and these restorations are resistant to fractures. Your dentist can let you know if gold is a consideration for your smaller dental restorations!

Full and Partial Dental Crowns

You may also have the option of using gold for full and partial dental crowns. Dental crowns are used to restore teeth that have been damaged as a result of decay, teeth grinding, or an accident. Very durable and resistant to damage, these dental crowns can be used to provide dental restorations that last many years.

Gold alloy would be used to fabricate the crown in a lab and then your dentist would place it to restore your tooth. Electroformed pure gold may be used in some dental crown applications, making a highly durable dental restoration with superior performance [2].

The Pros and Cons of Gold

Gold is very durable in dentistry applications and can last for 20 years with the right care [3]. Reactivity to this metal is low, but if you have a metal allergy or sensitivity, you should inform your dentist, as you may not qualify for this restoration material.

While gold is an excellent restoration for damaged teeth, it is more expensive and needs to be placed by a dentist experienced in working with gold. In addition, gold won’t match your natural teeth, and many patients want a more uniform look for their smile. If aesthetics aren’t an issue, you may consider gold for your dental fillings or crowns!

Interested in Gold Dental Restorations? Talk to Your Dentist!

There are many benefits to using gold in dentistry, but it may not be the right material for every restoration. If you’re interested in gold fillings or crowns for your smile, talk to your dentist today about this highly durable material!

Sources:
1. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/81918783.pdf
2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/bf03215496.pdf
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/fillings-gold-inlays

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There are many types of restorative dentistry to get your smile back on track. Regardless of
whether you’ve experienced tooth decay, missing teeth, cracks, or broken teeth, restorative
dentistry is here to return your smile to its absolute best. What are your restorative dentistry
options?

Fillings

Dental fillings are a very common restoration. Using a filling material that’s safe and effective,
your dentist will fill in your cavity to protect the tooth from further decay and keep the rest of
your mouth healthy. Almost everyone has had some type of dental filling in their lifetime.
Dental fillings will need to be maintained and ultimately replaced to ensure continued
protection.

Bridges

A dental bridge may be a good fit for you if you’re missing one or more teeth in a row. Dental
bridges rely on the surrounding teeth to bridge the gap with a dental crown. Bridges are ideal
for missing back teeth and, like most other forms of restorative dentistry, will need to be
maintained and replaced after a certain number of years.

Crowns

A dental crown is a ceramic tooth replacement that looks very much like your natural tooth.
Crowns are used in restorative dentistry when a filling is too large to be restored or the tooth is
so damaged it needs to be capped to protect it. A sturdy crown will fit over your existing tooth
to prevent it from experiencing further decay or harm. A dental crown will be indistinguishable
from the rest of your teeth.

Veneers

Dental veneers, like crowns, consist of ceramic. They are thin and light, yet very durable and
strong. Veneers are placed over your natural teeth and permanently fixed into place. They can
fix a variety of issues with your smile for a complete transformation, from stubborn stains to
extensive chips to worn-down teeth.

Implants

Dental implants consist of a titanium implant that’s inserted into your jaw where your missing
tooth is. Once this is healed, a crown is placed on the end of the implant. Dental implants mimic
your natural teeth and, once healed, will never need to be replaced, although your dental
crown will need to be replaced at some point in the future.

Bonding

Dental bonding involves the use of composite resin—a tooth-colored material sometimes used
for fillings—to fix cracks, chips, broken teeth, and even gaps. Dental bonding is effective for a
variety of uses in restoration dentistry to complete your perfect smile.

Dentures

Dentures are false teeth that are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth. Unlike dental
implants or veneers, dentures are removable and will need to be removed and cleaned daily.
You have the option of a partial denture or a full set depending on how many of your natural
teeth are missing.

For whatever has impacted your smile, restoration dentistry can make it right. Addressing the
root cause of your concern can help you and your dentist make the best choice for your smile.
Make an appointment with your dentist today to talk about your restorative dentistry options
and get your beautiful smile back!

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Since fillings need to be replaced eventually, it’s paramount to get them checked out regularly
by a professional dentist. For example, if a filling is damaged or cracked, this creates space
where food particles and bacteria can get under your filling and cause more harm to your
tooth.

Every filling creates a seal between your tooth and your filling material. When this seal
becomes worn down or damaged, it’s not difficult for bacteria to get under the filling to attack
the tooth. This is often how cavities happen underneath fillings or along the seal of the filling
and the tooth.

The Seal May Not Be Correct

Although technology has come a long way in helping your dentist create the best filling possible
for your cavity, creating an impervious seal is still almost impossible. There’s usually a tiny gap
in the area where the seal of the filling meets your actual tooth. With proper care, you can
prevent bacteria and food from getting in this space.

However, if the seal of your filling was not done correctly or your filling wears out quickly, you
may be seeing evidence of tooth decay beneath the filling sooner than you think. For instance,
if you grind your teeth at night, this can quickly damage fillings and cause more problems that
may lead to future tooth decay.

Preventative Measures to Take

Patients usually can’t tell if their filling is worn out just by looking at it. However, a dentist can
properly evaluate the state of your filling, which makes regular dental exams all the more
important. During your appointment, your dentist can let you know if your filling is in good
shape or if you should look into getting a replacement sooner rather than later.

The type of decay that forms under fillings may be harder to notice. As such, the damage can
become extensive before it causes any signs or symptoms. These newer cavities may be larger
and more painful than your original cavity, and could potentially lead to more damage or even
necessitate root canal therapy. The best thing you can do is schedule regular visits with your
dentist to check out the damage in addition to taking care of your teeth!

Getting cavities under an existing filling isn’t ideal under any circumstances. You want to take
the best care possible of your fillings while also keeping your regular appointments with your
dentist. These simple tasks can help prevent future decay and keep your existing filling intact
for as long as possible.

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Expected Life Based on Material

Silver amalgam fillings were most commonly used in dentistry for over 150 years, but now, composite
resin fillings are making a fast replacement. These fillings are not only considered safer alternatives to
silver amalgam, but the color also matches your natural teeth. Many people prefer this type of material
to shiny silver fillings.

But how long do these fillings last, exactly? The exact length of time is impossible to predict, but here’s
what you can expect based on your filling’s material:

 Silver amalgam filling. These can last for up to 15 years, although they should be regularly
checked by your dentist during your bi-annual appointment for cracks or damage. This is
because a damaged silver filling can expose you to mercury and should be repaired or replaced
as soon as possible.

 Composite resin filling. Although these fillings will match your natural teeth, they don’t last as
long. They may last for up to 10 years, although some people will need them replaced in as little
as 5. It all depends on your oral health.

 Gold filling. Less common than silver amalgam or composite resin, gold fillings are your costlier
option and won’t match your natural teeth, but their life expectancy is up to 30 years!

Regardless of which dental filling you have, it’s important to remember that it will need to be replaced
at some point. It’s also crucial that you take care of your dental filling to not only extend its life, but to
protect your smile from further damage.

How to take Care of Your Dental Fillings

Taking care of your dental fillings isn’t that much different from taking care of your teeth. Brushing and
flossing are important as well as visiting your dentist. It’s important to not engage in harmful practices
such as biting your nails, grinding your teeth, and chewing ice. All of these habits can harm your fillings!
Getting dental checkups is also essential. Your dentist can let you know how well your filling is holding
up. If there are any problems, your dentist will be the first to spot them and you can work to repair your
filling to fully protect your teeth.

If you have dental fillings, it’s easy to think that your teeth are set for life. However, keep in mind that
your filling will need to be replaced at some point. By keeping up with your dentist visits, you can know
exactly when to replace your fillings to keep your smile protected and prevent the need for future
fillings!

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