Choosing the best filling for your tooth

If you recently found out you have a cavity, or you suspect your dentist will find one at your next dental visit, then it’s important to know that you have options as to what type of materials and treatments your dentist uses to fill the cavity.

Your dentist may suggest certain materials to use, based on the size and location of the cavity. Other considerations may include how much your dental insurance covers and how much you could be paying out-of-pocket.

Here are three of the most common dental filling materials you may likely choose from:

 Composite resins

These are tooth-colored fillings and are created out of a mixture of glass and quartz filler. They are durable and fracture resistant in small- to mid-sized fillings. They are often used in teeth that are easily seen when you smile or talk, such as the front and back teeth.

 Dental amalgam

These are silver-colored fillings, made from a combination of metals that include tin, silver, zinc, copper and mercury. These types of fillings have been used for many years by dentists because they are durable and less expensive than composite resins.

 Gold fillings

Gold has been used by dentists for more than one thousand years, due to gold’s durability. They are also called inlays or onlays, and the material is often an alloy of gold, copper and other metals. Gold is more expensive than other choices, but some people prefer gold fillings.

If you’ve delayed making a dental appointment because you can’t afford the cost of a dental filling, then check into AmeriPlan’s discount dental plans. AmeriPlan’s membership fees start at $25 per month, with a one-time $20 registration fee, and provide large discounts on all types of dental services for everyone living in your home. Visit one of our 75,000 dental providers who have signed on to the AmeriPlan national network, and you’ll save 25 to 80 percent off the cost of dental work, including your exams, x-rays and fillings. AmeriPlan’s affordable discount dental plans even provide significant savings on major dental work, including crowns, dental implants, dentures and root canals.

Most patients without dental insurance would typically pay up to $182 for a dental amalgam filling. AmeriPlan members instead will pay $45 on average, a 75 percent discount.

AmeriPlan discount dental plans can be used right away and as often as needed when you visit a dentist within the AmeriPlan national network.

To discover how you can save money on your next trip to the dentist, Visit Family dental health plans here