Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. "White" fillings are usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better.

No, tooth colored fillings are our treatment of choice. Either direct filled composites or indirect inlays and crowns can be provided in almost all situations. However on occasion, if a silver filling is necessary, we use the safest material available.

The white fillings look like your natural teeth. Most people now prefer these when possible. They are made of a composite material (plastic). Traditional silver fillings have worked very well for many years and still can today. They are made up of a mixture of different metals. On average a white filling will not last as long as a silver one. Recently, many new materials have come forth that have made the longevity of white fillings closer to silver ones.

Many people in the Ft Lauderdale area have had silver fillings placed into their teeth because they had cavities. These silver fillings are called amalgams. Amalgam fills the space where the decay in the tooth has been removed. However, over time, the amalgam corrodes and leaks which blackens the silver, and many times the tooth. This is easily seen as soon as a patient opens his or her mouth and is usually a source of embarrassment for the patient. Dr.

Generally, yes. Aside from the unappealing appearance of silver fillings, they can cause teeth to fracture over time. As a general rule, if the filling is small it is better to use tooth-colored material called a composite. As fillings get bigger, inlays and onlays are needed. These types of restorations support your teeth through bonding. They also hold up to chewing pressure, don't leak, and look like your real teeth.

There is no real evidence that silver fillings are dangerous. When they wear out, they need to be replaced. When replaced, you can choose what kind of filling you want to have.

Due to important and technological advances such as ceramics and composite (tooth colored) fillings we rarely do silver amalgam fillings.

White fillings are quickly replacing the old silver fillings that are part mercury. Although both kinds of fillings serve the same purpose, white fillings are more cosmetically appealing.

For over 150 years standard fillings have been made out of a silvery-grey material called ‘amalgam’. This is still one of the strongest and longest-lasting materials available for fillings. However, many people find it unattractive and some are concerned about possible health risks. White fillings are now becoming a popular alternative to amalgam fillings. The new dental materials mean it is much easier to find a perfect match for the shade of a particular tooth.

White (composite resin) fillings offer advantages that mercury fillings do not offer. Obviously white fillings have more cosmetic value than mercury fillings. Other advantages offered by white fillings are that they cause less stress on the teeth. Mercury fillings are metal fillings. They expand and contract when we eat hot and cold foods and liquids. This expansion stresses the teeth causing the tooth to fracture. Many times this will lead to the need for a crown.

It is definitely more appealing to see white when you smile rather than the silver fillings so many people have. Your silver fillings usually last 5 to 8 years and will eventually need to be replaced. If your primary concern is the color, and if the filling is in good shape, there are other options such as white fillings or porcelain inlays.

Mercury fillings, euphemistically called "silver" or "amalgam" fillings, have been used in dentistry since the Civil War era. They are an amalgam of 50% mercury, mixed with silver, copper, tin and other metals. Mercury fillings were invented as a cheap alternative to gold. Because they are easy to place and inexpensive, mercury fillings have been widely used for 150 years.