One of the main decisions you’ll have to make during your treatment planning or filling appointment is the type of filling material to use. The widely used fillings are amalgam metallic alloy and composite resin. Composite fillings are made of a composite resin material while amalgam fillings comprise of a mixture of tin, silver, copper and elemental mercury.
Most dentists recommend composite fillings (white fillings) because they are a durable, natural-looking alternative to the amalgam (silver) fillings. Here are reasons why you need to consider composite fillings over silver fillings:
Safety
If you’re looking for a safer alternative, composite fillings are the best option. Apart from having a natural, tooth-like appearance, composite fillings are safer because they don’t contain metals such as mercury which may adversely affect your health. Well, no research has revealed a direct link between mercury in amalgam fillings with disease or illness but anecdotal evidence indicates that mercury can result in unnecessary health risk.
Versatility
The fact that composites have a natural appearance makes them the best choice when it comes to closing a gap between teeth or repairing broken, chipped, or worn teeth. The resin materials being used today are strong enough for use as filling material for cavities.
Appearance
Every patient wants to restore the natural appearance of his or her tooth. Composite (white) fillings can be closely matched to the natural color of your tooth. This makes them the best option when restoring your front teeth or any other tooth. That explains why many people choose to replace their amalgam fillings with composite fillings.
Less Sensitivity
The resin materials used for white fillings doesn’t conduct heat or cold meaning you won’t have any sensitivity issues. Amalgam fillings tend to more sensitive to hot and cold than composite fillings.
Tooth Strengthening
There is usually a formation of a strong powerful bond between the resin material in the composite fillings and the remaining tooth. This helps in strengthening the tooth thus creating a strong seal that prevents or rather keeps out decay causing bacteria.
Less removal of tooth structure
There is no better way of preserving the structure and strength of your tooth than using composite fillings. Amalgam fillings usually require more drilling of the healthy tooth structure than composite fillings. Composite fillings need a smaller size of hole than amalgam fillings.