For decades the only type of filling available was an amalgam mix that was silver in colour and very noticeable. Nowadays, there is a choice and many people are opting for composite resin fillings that can be coloured to match the existing tooth colour and shade.
These tooth-coloured fillings are also commonly used to replace old silver fillings that have begun to disintegrate or simply because a person prefers the cosmetic appearance.
A dentist will not recommend replacing an old silver filling unless there is some damage present but will do so if a patient insists. This is because removing an old filling exposes the possibly harmful mercury contained within which is best avoided whenever possible. Apart from their cosmetic appeal, tooth-coloured fillings have other advantages over silver as they:
- Bond directly to the teeth
- Are longer-lasting
- Help to strengthen the damaged tooth or teeth
Composite tooth-coloured fillings also require that less of your tooth's healthy tissue be removed unlike silver fillings which require the removal of healthy tissue to allow the amalgam to be bedded in correctly. Composite resin fillings are not ideal in every case, particularly when used to replace undamaged existing silver fillings, and all options should be discussed with your dentist before proceeding.
Learn more at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/should-silver-fillings-be-replaced-with-tooth-colored-fillings/