No one likes the idea of getting a filling, but the more you know about them, the easier it will be.
And if you’ve heard about the different types of filling available, you may want to find out more about which is best for you.
So in this article, we’re going to take a look at silver fillings vs. white fillings and also understand when you might need one.
Silver and white fillings — the difference
A filling replaces the decayed part of a tooth to stop it from getting worse, strengthen your tooth, and rule out the need for more invasive treatment like extraction or root canal work.
You may also need a filling if you chip or crack a tooth.
Silver or amalgam fillings
You are probably familiar with the older-style silver or amalgam fillings. These are made up of a combination of different metals, which can include mercury.
The mercury content can be worrying for some patients — in large quantities, mercury is toxic to the human body. As the amount of mercury used in silver fillings is small, the chances of your metal fillings poisoning you are very low.
But all the same, many people prefer to limit their exposure to mercury to a minimum, so you may want to think about replacing your silver fillings with white, which is just one of the services we offer here at Opal Dental.
White or composite fillings
If you’ve had a filling more recently, your dentist probably used white or composite fillings, which are made from a mixture of ceramic and plastic.
One of the most obvious benefits of white fillings is that your dentist can match the shade to your tooth, making it less obvious and more aesthetically pleasing.
There are lots of other advantages too. For a start, less material needs to be removed for a composite filling, so you get to preserve more of your natural tooth.
Composite fillings are also chemically bonded directly onto your tooth, while silver fillings are packed in place by expansion, which can put a strain on your tooth.
White or composite fillings are less vulnerable to changes in temperature as well. This means that, unlike amalgam fillings, they aren’t affected by hot or cold food or drink and are a lot more flexible. Again, this means less stress on your natural tooth.
What are the signs I need a filling?
You may need a filling if you notice one of these signs:
- Your tooth is sensitive or painful.
- Your dental floss starts tearing.
- A previous filling has become damaged.
- Your tooth is chipped or cracked.
- You have a dark spot on your tooth.
- You get food trapped between your teeth.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to get checked out by your dentist as soon as possible.
Reach out for fillings and more
Now that you know the difference between silver and white fillings, you can make an informed decision about which to go for.
Here at Opal Dental, we offer white fillings and can also replace old silver fillings with white composite ones.
Give us a call to find out more about fillings or any of our other dental services — we’re your local dentist for all the family, serving Te Atatu and surrounding areas.
Reach out to us today!
