Resin composite are a type of tooth-coloured restorations. There advantage includes adhesion to tooth structure, wear resistance and are relatively strong. The disadvantages include polymerization shrinkage which can lead to marginal leakage and post operative sensitivity. They are also a bit like cement and do not like moisture as they are being placed.
Glass ionomer cements are a type of tooth-coloured restorations. There advantages included bonding to tooth structure, having similar thermal expansion to enamel and dentine, better moisture tolerance and some studies having shown that they have a protective mechanism of inhibiting demineralization by releasing fluoride. The disadvantages are they can be brittle, some types can have poor wear and erosion resistance and finally they often cannot match the same level of aesthetics as composite can.
Amalgam fillings are metal fillings. Their advantages are that they are more affordable, strong, long-lasting and withstand high moisture. Their disadvantages include corrosion in the mouth, requires additional tooth structure removal for retention, and are often seen as not being aesthetic.
Technically, you can start eating as soon as the filling is finished. However, we usually advise waiting until the numbing wears off before you start chewing on that side to avoid causing truama to your soft tissues.
This is the idea that nothing lasts forever, everything has a life cycle just like a car, phone or computer. Once a filling has started then over time that will wear down and need to be replaced at some point. When it is replaced it may require more extensive work. To make things last longer, it is advised that you get frequent check ups and have good home care to increase there life span just like servicing a car.
No they have really good past evidence supporting its use. The main issue with metal fillings is the environmental impact of mercury waste has limited its use in some countries and the placement of them requires removal of a lot of tooth structure. In saying this there is situations where amalgam is the only option, your oral health practitioner will help you to determine if this is the case.
This is hard to answer as it varies in each individual and for every tooth. It depends on multiple factors. This includes tooth related factors being the amount of decay present, amount of tooth structure left, is the tooth alive or dead, is it the only tooth in that area and are there multiple fillings etc. Then there are the personal related factors like the types of foods and drinks that you have, the bite force you use, and if you grind your teeth etc. In most cases we hope to get 4-5 years out of a simple filling of resin composite or a metal filling, and for temporary fillings this is usually a lot less 1-3 years. Again these can vary, you may be lucky and get more than this or you may be unfortunate and get less.
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This page provides general information about dental topics. It does not contain all the known facts of this subject and is not intended to replace personal advice from your dentist. If your not sure about anything on this site, contact us or speak to your local oral health practitioner. Make sure you give your local oral health practitioner your complete medical history and dental history.
A selection of the references used:
Lohbauer, Ulrich (2009). Dental Glass Ionomer Cements as Permanent
Filling Materials? – Properties, Limitations and Future Trends.
Materials, 3(1), 76–96. doi:10.3390/ma3010076
Chan, Keith H.; Mai, Yanjie; Kim, Harry; Tong, Keith C.; Ng,
Desmond; Hsiao, Jimmy C. (2010). Review: Resin Composite Filling.
Materials, 3(2), 1228–1243. doi:10.3390/ma3021228
Mackenzie,
L. (2021). Dental amalgam: a practical guide. Dental Update,
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