White Fillings
The term “white filling” can refer to two classes of dental restorative materials, composite resin (“hard plastic”) or bonded ceramic (“porcelain”).
COMPOSITE RESIN, OR “HARD PLASTIC”
The least expensive white filling material is composite resin (a combination of resin and glass filler), a dough-like material that sets with the aid of a high-intensity light.
It has the tremendous advantage of direct placement in a single visit. However, composite resin is a relatively soft material.
An average person chews over 5,000 times per day and 2,000,000 times per year. Composite resin abrades readily; on rear chewing surfaces it must be replaced every 10 years.
After repeated fillings, so much tooth is lost that a full coverage bonded ceramic restoration (porcelain crown) is required anyway.
Why not place a lifetime bonded ceramic restoration right away and break the cycle of repeated fillings in your lifetime? A fully performing dentition is as desirable at age 90 as it is today.
BONDED CERAMIC, OR “PORCELAIN”
Bonded ceramics compromise a range of materials which we will call “porcelains”.
Each class of ceramics has different applications in dentistry. A ceramic is created by firing clay-like minerals to very high temperatures, resulting in a crystalline/glass compound.
It is then bonded permanently to the tooth with resin cement. These materials are beautifully esthetic and extremely wear-resistant.
They cover the chewing surface of a tooth with a “coat of armor”, resulting in a restoration that can easily last a lifetime.
Have Further Questions?
Call us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
COST OF PORCELAIN VS. HARD PLASTIC
Porcelain fillings (which will easily last a lifetime) cost $600-$800 per tooth, depending on the size of the filling.
(When a tooth is extensively damaged a full crown is needed, costing $1250). Hard plastic fillings (10-12 year lifespan) range from $200-300.
Insurance generally covers 50%, so a patients out-of-pocket cost is about $150 for plastic vs. $350 for porcelain. Porcelain is clearly the most practical, beautiful, and cost-effective option.
Greater Boston Dental Center
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