While composite fillings are made partly with glass, they are not the only type of filling with glass. There are also glass ionomer fillings that can be used in your teeth. There are only specific uses for glass fillings, but they can be a great option for the right part of your teeth where composite fillings may not be ideal.
If you are in need of a filling on a part of your tooth that does not have pressure applied to it directly, you may find your dentist telling you that they would recommend a glass filling.
When to Turn to a Glass Filling
Glass fillings can be brittle. Too, brittle, in fact, to be used on a chewing or pressurized surface of your tooth. However, when you need a filling on the outside or the neck of your tooth, it can be the ideal solution.
Glass ionomer fillings are able to bond directly to the dentin and the remaining surface of the tooth and set up, giving you a full filling that can then be polished and set up to look like the rest of your tooth. Glass isn't known for being able to be polished up as nicely as a composite filling, but it can be an easier option for in your mouth, and it can also be cheaper.
The biggest thing that a glass filling has going for it is its ability to seal up the entire inside of the filling. It is put into the tooth in a liquefied form, which allows it to take up all available space within your tooth. This helps to protect the inside of your tooth from decay on a deeper level than is usually found in any other type of filling. If you want to find out more about glass fillings, contact our office today!