Dental Health Procedures & Treatments Print Different Types of Dental Fillings Key Differences Between Silver, Gold, Ceramic, and More Medically reviewed by linkedin Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 21, 2019 Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York, and a member of the American Dental Association and New York State Dental Association. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 21, 2019 Written by linkedin Written by Lora Dodge She was certified by the Dental Assisting National Board in 2001. Her career in dentistry first began in orthodontics and continued to expand into general dentistry, pediatrics, and oral surgery. Learn about our editorial policy Lora Dodge Pakorn Polachai / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Dental Health Procedures & Treatments Orthodontics Cosmetic Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry Dental Conditions Treating a cavity, an area of decay in a tooth, is a routine part of dental care. First, a dentist cleans out the part of the tooth that's affected, leaving a hole or empty space. Then he'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. There are five types of materials commonly used to fill in space where a cavity has been removed. If you ever need a filling, here's some helpful information about the different types. You may not always have a choice in the type of filling you need, but if you do, it's helpful to know the pros and cons of each. 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. The typical silver amalgam filling can last 15 years or more. Silver amalgam also is pretty easy for a dentist to fit into a cavity and there are no concerns that it might become contaminated by blood or saliva. Silver amalgam has disadvantages though. It's not aesthetically pleasing, so it isn't a good choice in a tooth that's highly visible. 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. The mercury in silver amalgam is controversial, but according to the American Dental Academy and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, studies have shown that silver amalgam fillings are safe. 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. At the same time, though, composite fillings don't last as long as some other types. They typically need to be replaced every five years or so, and they're 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 and so 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 for children whose teeth are still changing. They last less than five years but release fluoride, which can help protect a tooth from further decay. However, they're 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 It won't surprise you to learn that 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. However, gold is sturdy, it doesn't corrode, and a gold filling can last for more than 15 years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Dental Association. "Statement on Dental Amalgam." Aug 2009. Continue Reading