Dental Materials

Many people have questions about the various materials used in their dental treatments. We have provided a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the materials our dentist and team use. This information is adapted from our pamphlet “The Facts About Fillings,” which is handed out to every new patient who visits our office, and which is released by the Dental Board of California.
If you have any questions about dental materials or about our dental services in Santa Cruz, California, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nathan Oster, please contact us at 831-476-3200.

Porcelain Fused to Metal

This type of porcelain is a glass-like material that is “enameled” on top of metal shells. It is tooth colored and is used for crowns and fixed bridges.

Advantages

• Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
• The metal substructure makes it very durable
• No tooth sensitivity
• Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit

Disadvantages

• More of your original tooth structure must be removed to accommodate the metal substructure
• Higher cost because it requires at least two office visits and laboratory services.

Gold Alloy

Gold alloy is a mixture of gold, copper and other metals and is used mainly for crowns and fixed bridges and some partial denture frameworks

Advantages

• Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
• Excellent durability; does not fracture under stress
• Does not corrode in the mouth
• Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed
• Wears well; does not cause excessive wear to opposing teeth
• Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit

Disadvantages

• It is not tooth-colored
• Gold conducts heat and cold and may irritate sensitive teeth
• High cost; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services

Porcelain (Ceramic)

Porcelain is a glass-like material formed into fillings or crowns using models of the prepared teeth. The material is tooth-colored and may be used in a variety of restorations, including inlays and onlays, crowns, veneers and bridges.

Advantages

• Less of your original tooth structure needs to be removed – very little will need to be removed for a veneer, though more will need to be removed for a crown
• Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
• Is resistant to surface wear
• Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit
• The material does not cause tooth sensitivity

Disadvantages

• Material is brittle and can break under biting forces
• May not be recommended for molar teeth
• Higher cost because it requires at least two office visits and laboratory services

Nickel or Cobalt-chrome Alloys

Nickel or cobalt-chrome alloys are mixtures of nickel and chromium. They are a dark silver metal color and are used for crowns and fixed bridges and most partial denture frameworks.

Advantages

• Good resistance to further decay if the restoration fits well
• Excellent durability; does not fracture under stress
• Does not corrode in the mouth
• Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed
• Resists leakage because it can be shaped for a very accurate fit.

Disadvantages

• Is not tooth-colored
• Material conducts heat and cold and may irritate sensitive teeth
• Can be abrasive to opposing teeth
• High cost; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services
• Slightly higher wear to opposing teeth

Glass Ionomer Cement

Glass ionomer cement is a self-hardening mixture of glass and organic acid. It is tooth-colored and varies in translucency. Glass ionomer is usually used for small fillings, cementing metal and porcelain on metal crowns, liners and temporary restorations.

Advantages

• Reasonably good aesthetics
• May provide some help against decay because it releases fluoride
• Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed and it bonds well to both the enamel and the dentin beneath the enamel
• Material has low incidence of producing tooth sensitivity
• Usually completed in one dental visit

Disadvantages

• Cost is very similar to composite resin (which costs more than amalgam)
• Limited use because it is not recommended for biting surfaces in permanent teeth
• As it ages, this material may become rough and could increase the accumulation of plaque and chance of periodontal disease
• Does not wear well; tends to crack over time and can be dislodged

Resin-Ionomer Cement

Resin ionomer cement is a mixture of glass and resin polymer and organic acid that hardens with exposure to a blue light used in the dental office. It is tooth colored but more translucent than glass ionomer cement. It is most often used for small fillings, cementing metal and porcelain metal crowns and liners.

Advantages

• Very good aesthetics
• May provide some help against decay because it releases fluoride
• Minimal amount of tooth needs to be removed and it bonds well to both the enamel and the dentin beneath the enamel
• Good for non-biting surfaces
• May be used for short-term primary teeth restorations
• May hold up better than glass ionomer but not as well as composite
• Good resistance to leakage
• Material has low incidence of producing tooth sensitivity
• Usually completed in one dental visit

Disadvantages

• Cost is very similar to composite resin (which costs more than amalgam)
• Limited use because it is not recommended to restore the biting surfaces of adults
• Wears faster than composite and amalgam

Dental Amalgam Fillings

Dental amalgam is a self-hardening mixture of silver-tin-copper alloy powder and liquid mercury and is sometimes referred to as silver fillings because of its color. It is often used as a filling material and replacement for broken teeth.

Advantages

• Durable
• Holds up well to biting forces
• Relatively inexpensive
• Generally completed in one visit
• Self-sealing; minimal-to-no shrinkage and resists leakage
• Resistance to further decay is high, but can be difficult to find in early stages
• Frequency of repair and replacement is low

Disadvantages

• Gray colored, not tooth colored
• May darken as it corrodes; may stain teeth over time
• Requires removal of some healthy tooth
• In larger amalgam fillings, the remaining tooth may weaken and fracture
• Conducts heat and cold and may increase tooth sensitivity to temperature, especially immediately following placement
• Contact with other metals may cause occasional, minute electrical flow

Composite Resin Fillings

Composite fillings are a mixture of powdered glass and plastic resin, sometimes referred to as white, plastic or tooth-colored fillings. This material may be used for fillings, inlays and onlays, veneers, crowns or to repair portions of broken teeth.

Advantages

• Strong and durable
• Tooth-colored
• Single visit for fillings
• Resists breaking
• Maximum amount of tooth preserved
• Small risk of leakage if bonded only to enamel
• Does not corrode
• Generally holds up well to the forces of biting depending on product used
• Resistance to further decay is moderate and easy to find
• Frequency of repair or replacement is low to moderate

Disadvantages

• Moderate occurrence of tooth sensitivity; sensitive to dentist’s method of application
• Costs more than dental amalgam
• Material shrinks when hardened and could lead to further decay and/or temperature sensitivity
• Requires more than one visit for inlays, veneers and crowns
• May wear faster than dental enamel
• May leak over time when bonded beneath the layer of enamel

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment with our dentist and team.