Glass, acrylic, and metal — oh my! You may be surprised by the variety of materials dentists use to keep your smile healthy and strong. Check out the seven go-to materials in dentistry today.

This has been a staple in dentistry for over 150 years. Recognizable by its silver color, amalgam is made of a mix of various metals and is used to fill cavities. Amalgam is not the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it is incredibly durable and offers a cost-effective option for patients.

Introduced in the 1960s as a more aesthetic alternative to amalgam, composite resin is widely used for filling cavities, repairing chipped teeth and filling small gaps between teeth. It is made from a blend of acrylic and ceramic resins and can be color-matched to your natural teeth, which makes it a preferred choice for many dentists and patients alike.

This material is a true hallmark in the dental industry and has been since the late 1700s. Porcelain is often used for crowns, veneers, bridges, inlays, and onlays and closely mimics the appearance of natural teeth. Porcelain is a widely used material because it looks like natural teeth and is durable.

If you have a dental implant, chances are you have titanium in your mouth, too. Titanium is the most common material for dental implant posts, which are surgically embedded into the jawbone to support things, like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Another popular material used for dental crowns is zirconia. It is a white, solid ceramic glaze that closely resembles natural teeth. It also is highly durable and resistant to fractures, which makes it ideal for crowns on molars, especially for patients that grind or clench their teeth.

If you’ve had braces, you likely had glass ionomers on your teeth. Glass ionomer is typically used as a cement, cavity liner, and sometimes a filling for tiny cavities on baby teeth or near the gum line. Made from a mix of glass and acrylic, the material is not as durable as its counterparts. Glass ionomers contain fluoride which, when used as a filling material or liner, can help remineralize the tooth.

Gold has been a crown material option for centuries and is also the most long-lasting and durable option. Gold used in dentistry is not pure gold. It is actually mixed with copper and other metals. Gold can be used in a variety of ways in dentistry but is traditionally used to crown decayed or damaged teeth.

Whether it is the durability of amalgam and gold, or the natural look of composite resin and porcelain, materials used in modern dentistry will meet a wide array of needs. Each material works to ensure your teeth remain healthy and you stay confident.