Getting a filling fora cavity, which is an area oftooth decay, is a routine part of dental care. First, your dentist cleans out the part of the tooth that’s affected, leaving a hole or empty space. Then they’ll fill that space to even out the surface of the tooth so that it “feels” right in the mouth and is protected from further decay.

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There are five types of materials commonly used to fill in space where a cavity has been removed. You may not always have a choice in the type of filling you need, but it’s helpful to know the pros and cons of each.

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Silver Amalgam Fillings

This is the most widely known type of filling. Silver amalgam isn’t just silver—it’s a mixture of minerals that’s 50 percent silver, tin, zinc, and copper, and 50 percent mercury.It’s a popular choice for fillings among dentists because it’s strong, durable, and doesn’t cost a lot.

Silver amalgam has disadvantages though. It’s not aesthetically pleasing, so it isn’t a good choice for a highly visible tooth. The material also can expand and contract over time, causing a tooth to crack. These fluctuations also can create spaces between the filling and the tooth that food and bacteria can become trapped in, allowing new cavities to form.

On September 24, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration released a recommendation against giving mercury fillings to certain high-risk people whenever possible and appropriate—specifically:Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnantWomen who are nursingChildren under 6People with certain pre-existing neurological diseases, impaired kidney function, or known allergies to mercuryThese people should receive alternatives such as composite resins or glass ionomer cement fillings. Removing existing mercury fillings was not advised, as doing so would increase the risk of exposure to the metal.

On September 24, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration released a recommendation against giving mercury fillings to certain high-risk people whenever possible and appropriate—specifically:

These people should receive alternatives such as composite resins or glass ionomer cement fillings. Removing existing mercury fillings was not advised, as doing so would increase the risk of exposure to the metal.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are made of a resin and plastic material that is placed into the cavity while it’s soft, then hardened with bright blue “curing” light. It’s a popular choice because it can be matched in color to the shade of a person’s existing teeth, so it’s not as obvious as a silver amalgam filling.

Composite fillings don’t last as long as some other types. They typically need to be replaced every five to 10 years.They are also pricier than silver.

Ceramic Fillings

These are made of porcelain and are both durable and aesthetically attractive. Ceramic fillings are more expensive than other types, but they’re tooth-colored and more resistant to staining and abrasion than composite resin.

The disadvantage of using ceramic instead of a composite is that it’s more brittle, so it needs to be larger to prevent it from breaking.This means the area in the tooth must be made larger so there’s room for the extra bulk. These ceramic restorations are typically referred to as inlays or onlays.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

These glass-and-acrylic fillings are good forchildrenwhose teeth are still changing. They release ​fluoride, which can help protect a tooth from further decay.

They only last a few years, since they are significantly weaker than composite resin and more likely to crack or wear out.Traditional glass ionomer does not match tooth color as precisely as composite resin.

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are expensive and not very common. In fact, it can be difficult to find a dentist who’ll offer gold as an option. What’s more, it takes more than one office visit to fit a gold filling properly. Gold is sturdy, it doesn’t corrode, and a gold filling can last for more than 20 years.

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6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam. Sept 24, 2020.Bharti R, Wadhwani K, Tikku A, Chandra A.Dental amalgam: An update.Journal of Conservative Dentistry. 2010;13(4):204. doi:10.4103/0972-0707.73380Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, Tauböck T, Attin T, Hannig C.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121-128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016Lohbauer U.Dental Glass Ionomer Cements as Permanent Filling Materials? – Properties, Limitations and Future Trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076American Dental Association.Fillings, Gold (Inlays).Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association. “Statement on Dental Amalgam.” Aug 2009.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam. Sept 24, 2020.Bharti R, Wadhwani K, Tikku A, Chandra A.Dental amalgam: An update.Journal of Conservative Dentistry. 2010;13(4):204. doi:10.4103/0972-0707.73380Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, Tauböck T, Attin T, Hannig C.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121-128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016Lohbauer U.Dental Glass Ionomer Cements as Permanent Filling Materials? – Properties, Limitations and Future Trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076American Dental Association.Fillings, Gold (Inlays).Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association. “Statement on Dental Amalgam.” Aug 2009.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam. Sept 24, 2020.Bharti R, Wadhwani K, Tikku A, Chandra A.Dental amalgam: An update.Journal of Conservative Dentistry. 2010;13(4):204. doi:10.4103/0972-0707.73380Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, Tauböck T, Attin T, Hannig C.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121-128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016Lohbauer U.Dental Glass Ionomer Cements as Permanent Filling Materials? – Properties, Limitations and Future Trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076American Dental Association.Fillings, Gold (Inlays).

Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam. Sept 24, 2020.

Bharti R, Wadhwani K, Tikku A, Chandra A.Dental amalgam: An update.Journal of Conservative Dentistry. 2010;13(4):204. doi:10.4103/0972-0707.73380

Kirsch J, Tchorz J, Hellwig E, Tauböck T, Attin T, Hannig C.Decision criteria for replacement of fillings: a retrospective study.Clin Exp Dent Res. 2016;2(2):121-128. doi:10.1002/cre2.30

Hopp C, Land.Considerations for ceramic inlays in posterior teeth: a review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2013:21. doi:10.2147/ccide.s42016

Lohbauer U.Dental Glass Ionomer Cements as Permanent Filling Materials? – Properties, Limitations and Future Trends.Materials. 2009;3(1):76-96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076

American Dental Association.Fillings, Gold (Inlays).

American Dental Association. “Statement on Dental Amalgam.” Aug 2009.

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