“Can I get my fillings changed to white?”
I am a 58 year old female and I have silver fillings. I want to know if I can get my fillings changed to white?
4 Answers
Yes, we do it all the time. Silver fillings are very durable and cost effective, but not very aesthetic. Composite, or white, fillings are not as durable as silver and cost more.
Yes, but it'd be better to have them replaced as needed to prevent a large amount of mercury exposure that would occur if they were replaced all at the same time.
Hello,
Yes, fillings can be changed from silver to white. This is something that a lot of people contemplate on a daily basis. There are a few different things to consider before replacing silver fillings with white fillings (tooth colored fillings).
First of all, silver fillings that have been there for years often tend to stain the tooth around the silver. When this happens and the reason for removing the silver filling is for aesthetics, the part of the tooth around the filling is going to have to be removed for the best results. This layer can stay as there is nothing wrong with it; but, it will leave a silver ring around the new white filling.
The second thing to consider is the idea of mercury. Most silver fillings have mercury in them and it is stable inside the filling. The silver filling is removed by a drill and the mercury gets vaporized. At this point it gets in the body by being inhaled as the patient and dentist breath (worse so for the dentist because he/she is breathing it on every patient).
Finally, the size of the filling may dictate that replacing the silver filling (especially if the silver ring around the tooth has to be removed as well) may be removed but a white filling may not be able to replace it. In this case more advanced dentistry, such as crowns, would have to replace the silver filling.
If none of these points are of concern, then changing silver fillings to white fillings should not be a problem. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Yes, fillings can be changed from silver to white. This is something that a lot of people contemplate on a daily basis. There are a few different things to consider before replacing silver fillings with white fillings (tooth colored fillings).
First of all, silver fillings that have been there for years often tend to stain the tooth around the silver. When this happens and the reason for removing the silver filling is for aesthetics, the part of the tooth around the filling is going to have to be removed for the best results. This layer can stay as there is nothing wrong with it; but, it will leave a silver ring around the new white filling.
The second thing to consider is the idea of mercury. Most silver fillings have mercury in them and it is stable inside the filling. The silver filling is removed by a drill and the mercury gets vaporized. At this point it gets in the body by being inhaled as the patient and dentist breath (worse so for the dentist because he/she is breathing it on every patient).
Finally, the size of the filling may dictate that replacing the silver filling (especially if the silver ring around the tooth has to be removed as well) may be removed but a white filling may not be able to replace it. In this case more advanced dentistry, such as crowns, would have to replace the silver filling.
If none of these points are of concern, then changing silver fillings to white fillings should not be a problem. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
The easy answer is yes you should be able to. However, it depends how big those silver fillings are and how much tooth structure has been replaced. It is best to see your dentist to evaluate each tooth individually to give you the best course of treatment.
