What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are either metal or resin-based materials used to fill a tooth after a dentist removes the decayed area of a tooth, known as a cavity. Cavities are the destruction of tooth enamel – the hard outer layer of your teeth – caused by acid-producing bacteria that eat the sugar in the foods we consume. This acid breaks down the enamel, causing a hole. There are two types of fillings that your dentist may suggest: amalgam (silver) fillings and composite (resin) fillings.
Composite Fillings
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural.
Amalgam 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 sometimes used 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.
Our office usually does not place amalgam fillings, but talk to Dr. Shah if you’d like to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages!
Information Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dental-filling-options