Once your dentist has determined you need a lansdowne dental filling, you will then decide the type of filling from the five major types: amalgam, composite resin, cast gold, ceramics, and glass ionomer.  Of these five types, the cost, durability and complication of application vary.

Amalgam is composed of a number of metals with the major element mercury and the remainder portion silver, tin and copper. Amalgam is typically the most budget friendly material and you can expect it to last about 10 years. 

Pros - the strength of the material, the dentist can finish in one dental appointment.

Cons - the high visibility of the material in your teeth and the material can not only discolor your nearby tooth as well as corroding over time, and the filling is not bonded to your tooth.

Composite resin is composed of both plastic and finely ground glass pieces. Composite resin is not as inexpensive as amalgam but is not as expensive as cast gold.  You can expect these fillings to last at least five years. 

Pros – less noticeable since it can match the color of your teeth, the dentist can finish in one dental appointment, bonds well to the tooth, and it can be combined with additional materials.

Cons – price is higher than amalgam, the material is wears more easily even with the advancements with the material, and this material requires longer appointments due to the layered application process.

Cast Gold is composed of gold alloy or mostly gold with other metals. Cast gold typically costs up to 10 times more than amalgam but unlike amalgam, you can expect it to last more than 15 years. 

Pros - the appealing color of gold, corrosion resistance, and the material is the strongest of all the filling materials.

Cons – the material requires multiple appointments to ensure proper impression and placement, the high cost, the high visibility, and if placed next to an amalgam filling you may experience an electric charge known as “galvanic shock”.

Ceramic is composed of mostly porcelain. Ceramic will cost more than composite resin or even as high as cast gold and you can expect it to last at least seven years. 

Pros - less noticeable since it can match the color of your teeth, durable, wear resistant and the material will eventually discolor compared to composite resin.

Cons – it’s brittle, the restrictions on size and placement of the material in order to reduce the chances of cracking, and the possibility of having to drill healthy tooth to meet the size requirement.

Glass ionomer is composed of glass, fluoroaluminosilicate and acrylic. Glass ionomer is strongest and most resilient when combined with composite resin for dental filling.  You can expect it to last more than five years and the costs are comparable to composite resin.

Pros - - less noticeable since it can match the color of your teeth, seamless tooth bonding, and the fluoroaluminosilicate gives off fluoride to your surrounding teeth.

Cons - the material will eventually wear or break, weaker than other available filling materials, and this material requires longer appointments due to the layered application process.

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