AMALGAM
- metallic grey or black
- cost $125-$225.oo
- very strong can last 20- 40 years
- not bonded to tooth - does not seal out mouth bacteria
- can predispose teeth to cracking eventually
- controversial health and environmental issues
COMPOSITE RESIN
- tooth coloured, plastic with fine glass or quartz particles
- cost $155-$525.oo [more time and skill to fill tooth]
- reasonable strength can last 5 - 10+ years
- suitable for small to medium large fillings
- bonded to tooth with bonding agent - seals out bacteria [ technique detail needed or bond can contaminate and degrade]
- may reduce tooth cracking [shrinks when hardened this can cause tooth cracks - careful technique]
GLASS IONOMER
- tooth coloured, high fluoride content filling - recharges with fluoride from daily tooth brushing
- cost $185 to $225.00
- suitable small to medium fillings not as wear resistant as composite resin
- medium strength used in minimum intervention dentistry due to anti decay properties
- bonds to tooth without need for bonding agent seals out bacteria
- technology improving strength improving
GOLD and CERAMICS 