Dental Fillings in Rifle, CO

With good oral hygiene habits and a healthy diet, you can avoid most tooth decay issues. However, if you do get a cavity, our dentist at Rifle Dental Care in Rifle, CO, has several materials to choose from to fill your tooth. There are many factors to consider when choosing which material to use to fill cavities.

Types of Filling Materials

There are five materials that dentists can use to fill a cavity. These materials include:

• Amalgam – Amalgam is a mixture of the metals silver, mercury, tin, and copper. Amalgam has a silver color, so the fillings are visible when you smile or laugh. They are usually placed on premolars and molars because this material holds up well to chewing food
• Composite Fillings – Composite fillings are also known as filled resins or composite resins. They are popular because the material is durable and blends in well with your natural teeth. Your dentist can order composite fillings in a shade of white that closely matches your teeth.
• Metal – Metal fillings are durable and are placed in premolars and molars. Aside from silver amalgams, patients can choose gold if they don’t mind the extra cost for it. Metal fillings can last 10 to 15 years.
• Ceramic – Some ceramic, or porcelain, fillings are as expensive as gold fillings, but many people like them because they look like natural teeth due to their color.
• Glass Ionomer – Another material that looks like natural teeth is glass ionomer fillings. However, they are not as durable as other filling materials, and they may need replacing in as little as five years.

Considerations for Selecting Fillings

Although our dentist at Rifle Dental Care usually selects between amalgam or composite fillings, they will also fulfill requests for other materials from their patients. Before ordering your filling material in Rifle, CO consider:

• Cost of materials for fillings
• Dental insurance coverage
• Durability of the filling
• Placement of the filling

Some of the filling materials may not be covered by insurance because the company may consider the material you choose as an aesthetic choice and not necessary for use. However, if you want a material that isn’t covered by insurance, ask us about our financing options.