Pros and Cons of Silver-Amalgams vs. White-Composite fillings by East Longmeadow DMD Joe Commisso

www.meadowplacedental.com

Many patients, when requiring fillings, will ask what the best choice is for a restorative material. Below is a short list of pros and cons for silver-mercury (amalgam) fillings vs. tooth colored (composite) fillings.

Composites

Pros

The preparation can be smaller leading to preservation of more natural tooth

Because they are tooth colored, they virtually disappear after placement

Are bonded to teeth so they decrease the chance of tooth fracture

Composites placed properly have less temperature sensitivity

Patients can eat immediately without precautions

Cons

Composites cost more than amalgams

Insurance usually covers less in posterior teeth

It takes more time to place composites in the mouth

Amalgams

Pros

Easy to place/less time spent in the dental chair

They are less expensive

They are relatively strong and have stood the test of time

Cons

Because they are metal they show when placed and make teeth appear grey

The tooth is weakened and considerably more susceptible to fracture

Teeth can be more temperature sensitive with metal fillings

They harden over time so you cannot eat for a few hours after placement

It requires the removal of additional healthy tooth structure to place

Contains mercury which may release to varying degrees over time

We hope this simple comparison of the most common restorative materials will help you become a well informed dental patient. Our office website has many more similar topics addressed in the "Patient Education" section.

www.meadowplacedental.com