White Fillings

White Composite Fillings Compared with Amalgam Fillings

Hover over the tooth image to see the difference

This page provides information about the pros and cons of white composite fillings versus silver amalgam fillings. There are several important differences between the two types, it's not just amatter of appearance.

Given the opportunity to make a fully informed choice, our experience is that the vast majority of today's dental patients will choose white fillings.

There are several reasons for this:

Since they bond to the tooth, white composite fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver can weaken the teeth, making them more susceptible to breakage.

Since broken teeth are very expensive to restore, composites can save a lot of expense over the long run.
Composite fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth.

Teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam, if correct techniques are used.
Composites are mercury-free. Mercury in the fillings is viewed by some as being toxic.

Composites require less removal of tooth structure. Especially with new cavities, the size of the hole made for the filling can be dramatically smaller with composites.