The Benefits of Choosing White Fillings Over Traditional Silver Amalgam

 If you have a cavity or need a tooth filling repaired, you now have a choice between silver amalgam fillings or new high-tech teeth white fillings. White fillings, also called composite resin fillings, offer many advantages over the traditional silver fillings and are now the go-to choice for most dental patients.  Keep reading to learn all about the benefits of opting for white fillings for your next dental procedure.

Improved Aesthetics

One of the main benefits of white fillings is improved aesthetics. Silver amalgam fillings are visible and unattractive, giving your mouth a glaring metallic look whenever you open wide to smile or laugh. In contrast, white fillings are tooth-colored, blending in seamlessly with your natural teeth. You can smile confidently knowing your fillings match your teeth. The white fillings even mimic the translucency of real teeth. This makes them virtually undetectable, even upon close inspection.

Preserves Tooth Structure

White fillings allow dentists to be much more conservative in tooth preparation compared to amalgam fillings. Amalgam requires more of the healthy tooth structure to be removed to make space for the filling material. This weakens the overall tooth over time. White fillings bond directly to the tooth, requiring removal of only the decayed area itself. This leaves as much of the healthy tooth intact as possible.

Great for Small Cavities

The adhesive properties of white fillings make them an ideal option for small cavities in between teeth as well as teeth surface pits and grooves. The white material flows into these tiny spaces for a tight seal. Amalgam cannot adequately fill small nooks and crannies. White fillings are also a better choice for cracks, chips, and worn tooth edges.

Does Not Corrode Your Tooth

Amalgam contains mercury, tin, silver, copper, and other metals. Over time, these metals corrode and weaken the surrounding tooth structures. This leads to fractures and more tooth loss. In contrast, resin-based white fillings do not cause corrosion and have been shown to strengthen teeth. The bonded white filling actually creates a tight seal that protects teeth from future bacteria and decay.

Metal Free

For patients looking to avoid metals in dental work, white fillings are a better choice. Some patients experience a metallic taste or allergic reactions from silver amalgam material. Composite resin contains no metals that could potentially leach into your mouth or cause discomfort over time.

Longevity

When properly placed by a skilled dentist, white fillings have similar longevity to silver amalgam fillings. Both options last around 10-15 years on average before needing replacement. With good oral care like brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, white fillings can even last 20 years or longer. The bonding technology and materials used in white fillings have vastly improved over the years.

Environmentally Friendly

Amalgam contains mercury, a toxic metal that can be released during placement or removal of silver fillings. This contaminates the environment and waterways. In fact, amalgam represents about 75% of mercury emissions from dental offices. White fillings contain benign materials like silicon, porcelain, and resin. Choosing white fillings over amalgam promotes a healthier environment.

Easy Replacement

If a white filling ever needs to be replaced in the future, the dentist can easily remove the old filling and bond a new one with minimal tooth reduction required. Amalgam fillings require chunks of healthy tooth to be removed when replacing the old filling.

Excellent for Kids

White fillings are a smart choice for children and teens. The tooth-colored material blends in for improved appearance, which can bolster self-confidence. The durability of white fillings makes them ideal for filling cavities in permanent teeth that are still developing below the gums. And they allow for less tooth structure removal compared to amalgam.

No Mercury Risks

Mercury has raised health concerns when it comes to amalgam fillings, especially in pregnant women and children. While many experts say mercury exposure from fillings is minimal, some patients prefer to avoid this toxin altogether. Composite resin fillings contain no mercury and are considered very safe by the dental community.

Insurance Coverage

Many dental insurance plans now cover white fillings at the same level as amalgam. Be sure to check if white fillings are fully or partially covered by your provider. If cost is a concern, keep in mind that amalgam is usually the more budget-friendly option in terms of upfront expense.

With all the benefits of white fillings over amalgam, from aesthetics to tooth preservation to avoiding metals, it makes sense to opt for white. When caught early, small cavities can often be repaired with simple white fillings before more involved and expensive dental work is needed down the road. Consult your dentist to determine if white fillings are the right solution for your dental needs.

Get Natural-Looking White Fillings in Easton at Haddad Dental

If you looking for dentist in Easton, PA and want to get white fillings, be sure to schedule an appointment with Haddad Dental. Dr. Kamal Haddad and team specialize in placing beautiful, natural-looking white fillings that restore teeth functionality and aesthetics. Patients love how seamlessly their white fillings blend with their surrounding teeth. Haddad Dental uses advanced bonding technology and the highest quality composite resin materials to ensure the white fillings match your natural tooth color perfectly. Our skilled dentists conserve as much healthy tooth as possible while removing decay and placing the white filling. Whether you have a small cavity between teeth or a larger filling needed, trust the experts at Haddad Dental in Easton, PA to provide you with white fillings that look and feel fantastic.