Repairing decayed teeth is a needed type of dental restoration. Your dentist must clean out the area of decay, leaving a hole, or cavity, in the tooth. To strengthen the tooth and prevent further tooth decay, the dentist must fill in the cavity with some type of material. Although amalgam was about the only option in the past, tooth-colored fillings are available today.
Disadvantages of Silver Fillings
Amalgam fillings are the most researched type of dental fillings. They are strong and suitable for filling cavities in back molars. The amalgam material is made of a mixture of various metallic elements. Amalgam is the least expensive type of dental filling.
One of the main disadvantages of traditional amalgam fillings, sometimes known as “silver fillings,” is that they are very noticeable due to their color. Their grayish, silvery color really stands out in the mouth in comparison to surrounding white teeth. Still, amalgam fillings are commonly used to fill less visible teeth, such as the back molars.
Another drawback of silver fillings is that they can stain the teeth over time, further impacting the appearance of your teeth and smile.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations
Fast treatment
Less noticeable
Long-lasting
Retains more healthy tooth structure
For many patients, the main advantage of tooth-colored fillings and restorations is that they blend in more seamlessly with the appearance of the rest of their teeth.
Tooth-colored fillings consist of a composite resin that your dentist bonds to your teeth. As a result, not as much natural tooth structure requires removal, as with traditional silver fillings. This also means that the tooth remains stronger and more resistant to damage.
Although most dental professionals find that mercury is safe in the small amounts present within amalgam fillings, some patients have concerns about the presence of mercury. Composite resin does not contain any mercury.
Replacing Silver Fillings With a Tooth-Colored Restoration
Dentists do not typically recommend that patients automatically replace their functional silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings. Instead, it is more normal for patients to replace traditional amalgam fillings as needed, when they wear out over time.
What To Expect
You can expect your dental fillings procedure to last around an hour. Your dentist will first numb your teeth and gums to minimize discomfort during the filling process. They will then drill out all tooth decay, replacing it with the chosen filling material.
After your filling has been placed, your mouth will probably stay numb for a couple more hours.
Tooth-colored composite fillings are placed as a putty-like material, in a series of layers, into the tooth. Your dentist would then shape the material and harden it using a special light.