Have you ever had a cavity? Did you know that fillings can be done in either a silver or white color?

We are going to discuss the differences between the silver metal fillings and the white, tooth colored fillings. Fillings are needed when there is a broken or weakened tooth structure caused by cavities. Fillings replace the decayed area once inhabited by bacteria.

Historically, silver fillings are a little bit older and do a good job replacing missing tooth structure but the downside is that they aren’t as aesthetically pleasing. Over time, because the silver is more dense than tooth structure, they can act as a wedge in the tooth and end up causing cracks in the tooth. Many people have questions regarding whether or not silver fillings are safe because of the mercury involved, and the answer is YES! Silver fillings are a mixture of two different metals and once mixed together, the mercury becomes stable and can no longer be harmful.

Tooth colored fillings are a more modern invention and are bonded to the tooth. These fillings are capable of flexing and bending which makes them easier on the mouth and are also more aesthetically pleasing! Once placed, you won’t even know that they are in your mouth!

If you’d like to learn more about this topic, click here to visit our Fillings/Bondings page! We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, give our office a call and we would be more than happy to discuss your options!

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