Restore Damage Teeth with Natural Looking Fillings

Dental amalgam is made from a combination of metals that include mercury, silver, tin, and copper. Sometimes described as “silver-colored” fillings, dental amalgam has been used by dentists for more than 100 years because it lasts a long time and is less expensive than other cavity-filling materials such as tooth-colored composites or gold fillings.

Because of their durability, these silver-colored fillings are often the best choice for large cavities or those that occur in the back teeth where a lot of force is needed to chew. Amalgam hardens quickly so it is useful in areas that are difficult to keep dry during placement, such as below the gum line. Because it takes less time to place than tooth-colored fillings, amalgam is also an effective material for children and special needs people who may have a difficult time staying still during treatment.

One disadvantage of amalgam is that these types of fillings are not natural looking, especially when the filling is near the front of the mouth, where it may show when you laugh or speak. Also, to prepare the tooth, the dentist may need to remove more tooth structure to place an amalgam filling than for other types of fillings.

These composite resins – which the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) explains as a blend of plastics and small glass particles – aren't just good for repairing cavities; they can also be used to change the color or shape of a tooth. The procedure is simple and consists of just one appointment. Your dentist will first choose the shade of composite that best matches your tooth color. After removing the decay, he or she will use a special curing light to harden each layer of filling material. The filling will be shaped to fit your tooth and polished so that it remains smooth and resistant to staining.

One of the leading advantages of composites is that, with a good color match, it's almost impossible to see that the tooth had to be restored. And because these fillings bond directly to the enamel, they're strong and resist wear, usually lasting more than five years. With current advances in composite materials, many are holding up even longer. Although they cost less than gold fillings, composites are more expensive than amalgams. Most insurance companies cover these fillings when done on your front teeth, but some carriers will only pay the allowance for an amalgam if the composite is used for a posterior tooth.