Dental fillings are one of the most common dental treatments for filling cavities and tooth damage. Choosing the right filling material has a huge impact on the longevity of the restoration, its aesthetics, and patient comfort. Many different brands are on the market today, each with unique features. This article from Notredent explores the benefits of using dental fillings and introduces the features of popular brands such as 3M ESPE, Ivoclar Vivadent, Kerr, and GC America.
Advantages of Using Dental Fillings
Advantages of Using Dental Fillings
Fillings are one of the most essential factors in any dental clinic or practice, with many advantages. Some of the advantages of dental fillings include:
1. Maintaining tooth structure
When a tooth becomes decayed, the damaged parts are removed and the space must be filled. Fillings help the tooth maintain its strength and prevent further breakage or damage. Without this restoration, the tooth may become weak and eventually require root canal or extraction. New filling materials are designed to preserve as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible, replacing only the damaged parts. This way, the tooth remains healthy and functional for longer and does not require more complex treatments.
2. Preventing the spread of decay
Dental decay can spread like a disease. If a decayed tooth is left untreated, bacteria can penetrate deeper layers and cause more serious problems. Filling materials prevent bacteria from entering by closing the pores and cracks in the tooth. This stops decay and prevents damage to the tooth root. Some filling materials even contain antibacterial compounds that help improve tooth health and prevent new cavities from forming. As a result, teeth remain stronger and healthier.
3. Beauty and naturalness
In the past, metal filling materials made the tooth filling visible and made the smile look less beautiful. But today, composite and ceramic fillings are produced in different colors that perfectly match the natural color of the teeth. These materials are designed so that they are not noticeable even up close. For this reason, people who care about the beauty of their teeth can safely use these types of fillings and smile without worrying about the dental restorations being visible.
4. High durability and resistance
Dental fillings, especially those used for back teeth, must be resistant to the pressure caused by chewing and abrasion. Today, new technologies have made these materials very strong and durable and can last for years without needing to be restored. Some fillings, such as amalgam, are extremely resistant and are also stable to temperature changes. On the other hand, composite and ceramic fillings have also gained high strength thanks to new developments and can last a long time if properly cared for.
Review of the features of famous brands
As we said, many brands produce dental filling materials. Let’s review the advantages of each of these brands:
1. 3M ESPE
3M ESPE is a pioneer in the production of dental materials that offers a variety of products for tooth restoration. Some of the features of this brand’s filling materials are:
- High strength: 3M fillings, especially Filtek composites, have high resistance to wear and breakage.
- Excellent aesthetics and color matching: These materials are produced in a variety of colors and perfectly match natural teeth.
- Strong adhesion to the tooth: Reduces the possibility of separation of the filling materials and increases the lifespan of the restoration.
- Resistance to discoloration: 3M filling materials do not yellow or darken over time.
3M ESPE
2. Ivoclar Vivadent
This Swiss brand is one of the best manufacturers of restorative materials and offers high-quality products to dentists. Some of the features of Ivoclar Vivadent products include the following:
- Nano-hybrid technology: Nano particles are used in Tetric EvoCeram products to increase strength and beauty.
- Excellent polishability: These materials are easily polished and have a smooth and shiny surface.
- Superb aesthetics: Due to the variety of colors, the final result looks very natural.
- Minimal shrinkage during hardening: This feature reduces the possibility of cracking and leakage.
Ivoclar Vivadent
3. Kerr
The American brand Kerr is another well-known name in the production of dental materials. This brand offers products that are very popular due to their unique features:
- High adhesion to the tooth: Kerr filling materials, especially the Herculite series, have a strong bond with the tooth and prevent the filling from separating.
- Long-term durability: These materials are resistant to wear and breakage and are suitable for high-pressure areas such as molars.
- Easy to use for the dentist: These materials are easy to shape and reduce working time.
- High resistance to discoloration: Kerr fillings do not change color over time.
Kerr
4. GC America
The GC America brand is also a popular choice among dentists and offers a variety of products in the field of dental restoration. The main features of this brand’s filling materials are:
- High wear resistance: G-aenial and Gradia products are very suitable for use in high-pressure areas such as posterior teeth.
- Diverse and natural color: Like other leading brands, this brand offers a wide range of colors to match natural teeth.
- Minimal shrinkage during hardening: This feature prevents the tooth restoration from cracking.
- High biocompatibility: Some GC materials have compounds that do not cause sensitivity to gums and oral tissues.
GC America
Which brand to choose?
Choosing the best brand depends on the patient’s needs and the dentist’s diagnosis. In general:
- If you are looking for high resistance and beauty → 3M ESPE and Ivoclar Vivadent are good options.
- If you want strong adhesion and long-lasting durability → choose Kerr.
- If you are looking for durable materials with high biocompatibility → GC America will be a good choice.
Bottom line
Dental filling materials play an important role in maintaining oral health, and choosing the right brand can increase the durability and aesthetics of the restoration. Leading brands such as 3M ESPE, Ivoclar Vivadent, Kerr, and GC America each have unique features that can be used based on the patient’s condition and the dentist’s recommendation. Ultimately, the goal of using dental filling materials is to maintain the health of the teeth, prevent future problems, and provide patients with a beautiful, natural smile.