By: Joseph Brier, DMD, FAGD, Dental Care of Lucas
Most of us will need a filling at some point in our lives. Cavities are common, but thankfully modern dentistry offers safe and effective ways to repair them. If your dentist tells you that you need a filling, you may wonder about the options, particularly the difference between the traditional silver fillings and the newer tooth-colored ones. Here’s what you should know.
Silver Fillings (Amalgam)
Silver fillings, technically called dental amalgam, have been used for over 150 years. They’re made from a mixture of metals including silver, tin, copper, and mercury that bond together into a strong and durable material. They have traditionally been used because they hold up very well, especially in the back teeth where chewing forces are strongest.
The main downsides are appearance, size, tendency to crack teeth over time, and for many, the mercury content. Silver fillings don’t blend with natural teeth, so they’re more noticeable when you smile or laugh. They also require dentists to remove more tooth structure to help hold the filling in place and be of sufficient size to be strong. While widely regarded as safe and reliable, many people prefer to avoid the metallic look as well as the exposure to mercury.
Tooth-Colored Fillings (Composite)
Tooth-colored, or composite resin, fillings are designed to match the natural shade of your teeth. This makes them an excellent choice for front teeth or anywhere appearance matters. Composites bond directly to the tooth, which often allows the dentist to preserve more natural tooth structure compared to silver fillings.
In addition to looking natural, tooth-colored fillings can be used to repair small chips or reshape teeth for cosmetic reasons. The main trade-off is that they may wear down a little faster than silver fillings in areas of heavy chewing, although advances in materials have made them very strong.
Which Is Right for You?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but silver fillings are much less common these days. Tooth-colored fillings offer a natural look and conserve more of your original tooth and are the material of choice in most situations these days.
