If you have cavities, you need to choose between silver amalgam and composite fillings. In both cases, your dentist will remove the tooth decay and place the filling. However, the two choices have quite a few differences. Learn more about your filling choices, so you can make a decision.
Compare amalgam and composite fillings
Amalgam fillings are made from silver, tin, copper and mercury. Composite fillings are made from a composite resin material. Both options protect the teeth after a cavity. However, the two have distinct differences.
Appearance
The first difference is the most noticeable. Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored. Dentists match the color of the patient’s natural teeth to the color of the composite resin. While amalgam fillings consist of various metals, the fillings have a silver appearance. Silver fillings stand out when people talk and smile.
Longevity
The metals used to make silver amalgam fillings make the fillings extremely durable. Silver fillings typically last for 10-15 years. Composite resin is not as strong as metal, and the fillings usually last for five years. In both cases, the fillings can last for longer or shorter durations, depending on how patients care for them. Also, the location of the filling impacts how long it lasts. For example, composite resin fillings can last 10 or more years when on the front teeth.
Filling stability
Silver fillings typically last longer than composite resin fillings do. However, silver fillings expand and contract when exposed to hot and cold temperatures. Expansion can cause the teeth to crack. When the filling contracts, food can get underneath the material and cause additional decay. Composite resin fillings do not change in size.
The preparation
Dentists use dental drills to remove decay before placing the fillings. Dentists must also remove some of the healthy tooth structure to make room for the filling, but the amount depends on the filling material selected. Silver fillings do not bond to the tooth, so dentists must remove a large amount of the healthy tooth structure to place the fillings. Composite fillings bond to the tooth, so dentists do not need to remove nearly as much of the tooth’s structure. This allows the tooth to maintain its natural strength.
The procedure
Dentists remove the decay and place silver amalgam fillings. However, the process for placing composite resin fillings is more involved. Dentists must place the composite resin material in layers, using an ultraviolet light or laser to harden each layer. This process takes longer than placing silver amalgam fillings.
Choosing a filling material
Before you choose a filling material, consider the differences between the two. Composite fillings match the existing teeth, while silver fillings stand out. Silver fillings tend to last longer, but the material can expand and contract. You will keep more of your natural tooth if you get a composite resin filling, but the process will take longer. If you are unsure which option is the right choice for you, talk to your dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Invisalign® for Teens is a viable option for some dental patients but not all. Your child's dentist will consider certain factors, such as how crooked the child's teeth are. If your teenager is a candidate for Invisalign, you can weigh the pros and cons of aligners and traditional braces to decide which works with your…
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on studying, diagnosing, and treating problems affecting teeth pulp. The most commonly performed endodontic treatment used in dentistry is the root canal, and it allows dentists to save teeth that have severe damage or decay.Root canal treatments are often the last defense when saving a tooth. A…
Many families with adolescents in need of straighter smiles are opting for Invisalign® for teens over traditional braces. Braces use wires and frequent adjustments to straighten each tooth individually. Invisalign clear aligners straighten all the teeth at once and are swapped out for new ones about every two weeks during the process. These aligners are…
If you and your child are interested in an alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign® may be just what you are looking for. It is just as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces but has certain qualities that make it more tolerable for teenagers.It is usually preferable to wait to delay teeth straightening treatment until…