Dental Health Procedures & Treatments Different Types of Dental Fillings Comparison of Silver, Gold, Ceramic, and More By Lora Dodge Lora Dodge LinkedIn 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 process Updated on March 03, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Edmund Khoo, DDS Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS Edmund Khoo, DDS, is board-certified in orthodontics. He teaches full-time as a clinical associate professor at his alma mater, New York University College of Dentistry, is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, and serves on advisory boards for the American Dental Education Association. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print 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. 1:36 7 Tips for Preventing Cavities 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 if you do, it's helpful to know the pros and cons of each. Pakorn Polachai / EyeEm / Getty Images 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 12 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 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 pregnant Women who are nursingChildren under 6 People 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. 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 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 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 release fluoride, which can help protect a tooth from further decay. However, they only last a handful of 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 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 20 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 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sjursen T, Lygre G, Dalen K et al. Changes in health complaints after removal of amalgam fillings. J Oral Rehabil. 2011;38(11):835-848. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2842.2011.02223.x 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 Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues recommendations for certain high-risk groups regarding mercury-containing dental amalgam. Sept 24, 2020. 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). Additional Reading American Dental Association. "Statement on Dental Amalgam." Aug 2009.