treatments
Tooth-colored and silver fillings
When teeth are affected by cavities caused by decay (caries) , the decayed areas of the tooth can be removed and replaced by fillings, provided the decay has not progressed too far. The fillings come in two basic materials; 'silver' or tooth-colored composites.
Silver fillings
'Silver' fillings, often called amalgam, in fact consist of a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Silver fillings have been used in dentistry for over 100 years. While mercury in itself may be harmful in larger doses, many studies have shown that very little is released from the amalgam in fillings, and there is no evidence of harm being caused due to the widespread use of this substance.
Silver fillings are often less expensive than composite fillings and some insurance policies may not cover that additional cost. Silver fillings may also last longer due to the inherent strength of the metal, but they may be more noticeable due to the darker color.
Tooth-colored fillings
Most tooth-colored fillings consist of a composite material made up of acrylic resin, quartz fillers (to resist wear) and colorants to match the natural color of teeth. Fillings made with these composites bind well to the internal surfaces of the tooth, and may be unnoticeable due to excellent color-matching with the natural tooth material. In addition, composite fillings are often smaller than fillings made with amalgam, because amalgam requires that a certain size be met to resist breaking or falling out.
Regardless of the material chosen, however, fillings do not last forever. Most dental fillings are quite long-lived, but eventually may need replacement or repair.
Which should I choose?
Tooth-colored fillings are usually more expensive than silver, and they may not last as long. For these reasons, we typically recommend that fillings toward the rear of the mouth (where they are less visible) utilize silver amalgam. You may wish, however, to fill the more noticeable front teeth with the more natual looking material to protect the appearance of your smile.
We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of filling with you, if and when one or more is required. As always, a natural healthy tooth is preferable to repair work, and our primary task is to help you avoid the necessity of fillings altogether!
