How to Pick the Right Fillings for Your Teeth

If you have to get a filling, you and your dentist have lots of materials to choose from. Before your appointment, get up to speed on your options.

Composite fillings are the most widely used dental filling material. They're made of glass or quartz in resin.

Your dentist may choose a composite filling if the size of your cavity is small to medium, or if your tooth gets a lot of chewing action.

These may also be a good choice for people who are afraid of dental work, since a composite can be bonded in place, which means less drilling.

Advantages: Your dentist can closely match the color of a composite filling to the color of your teeth.

Cons: Composite fillings can stain or discolor over time, just like your teeth.

The newer options for dental fillings include glass ionomers, made of acrylic acids and fine-glass powders.

Pros: They can be colored to blend in with your nearby teeth. They also can be designed to release small amounts of fluoride, which helps prevent decay.

Cons: These fillings can break, so they're not a good choice for surfaces that do a lot of chewing. Your dentist may instead suggest that you use it for a cavity near your gum line or to fill between teeth.

When you need a crown, inlay, or veneer, the go-to material is typically porcelain, ceramic, or another glass-like substance.

Pros: The color closely matches your teeth. These materials hold up for a long time and are very hard.

Cons: You'll need several visits to your dentist to get a tooth restored with porcelain, and it can cost more than other options.

Dentists choose porcelain for veneers because it can be formed into thin shells that fit over the surface of your teeth.