“Is a white filling better than silver?”
I am a 37 year old female. I want to know if a white filling is better than silver?
4 Answers
Not always
That would all depend on what you mean by "better" and where the filling would be located. Silver fillings were more common 10 years ago as they had a long clinical history. White or composite filling materials have evolved to be excellent. It comes down to the person placing the fillings and their attention to detail during the procedure. Silver fillings are quick and easy to place. White fillings are technique sensitive - meaning that great care must be taken to ensure the tooth stays dry during placement of the filling and all of the steps - not always an easy task when the tooth lives in a saliva rich mouth. :) White fillings will fail if moisture contaminates the surface of the tooth during placement, so for this reason they can fail. If done properly they can last as long as silver fillings. The key is finding a dentist and dental team that has a high attention to detail and that they ensure the process is kept dry. If all this is done, then the white fillings will "look better" than a silver filling according to patients because it blends in with the natural tooth color.
I hope that helps.
I hope that helps.
Silver fillings aka amalgam fillings are formed by mixing silver, tin, copper, zinc and mercury in certain proportions. Mercury in amalgam is the subject of controversy today. According to researchers in the US and the UK; amalgam fillings have been shown as the most important source of human exposure to mercury. On the other hand, according to the World Health Organization's 2009 Geneva Report that the amalgam filling is safe. Investigations of possible damages caused by mercury vapor caused by ongoing friction during chewing. For these reasons, reliability against this material has decreased in the world. Amalgam fillings do not meet the aesthetic expectations. And also it changes the color of the tooth in which it is located in the long term. With the advancement of technology, composite fillings that can be made in tooth color have become a better material than amalgam in terms of aesthetics and durability.
Hello,
Is a white filling (tooth colored fillings) better than a silver filling; this is an excellent question! The answer is both yes and no (as it is with anything that has both pros and cons). Both white and silver fillings have pros and cons to them.
Most research has shown that silver fillings do last longer then white fillings. However, this comes with a large grain of salt. Silver fillings have not changed much over the last 50 years; while white fillings are constantly being developed. Most of the time research is old and does not represent the latest white fillings. Also the difference in longevity between silver and white fillings is very minor.
Most of the time silver fillings require more tooth structure to be removed then do white fillings. Sometimes the amount of tooth structure is minor but sometimes it is unnecessary.
It is also important to consider aesthetics. Most people consider silver fillings to have no aesthetic value at all; white a nicely matched white filling will go unnoticed. The significance of this may make a difference to a person if the tooth is in the back or the front.
Finally, for a long time silver fillings have been associated with mercury. This is a substance that a lot of people do not want in their body even if the risk or harm is very low. However, this does not mean that white fillings are safe. White fillings were originally made with BPA (Bisphenol A). Bisphenol A is a compound that has been associated with plastics and causes behavior problems especially in children. So when choosing a white filling over a silver one, it is important to know if it is BPA free or not. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Is a white filling (tooth colored fillings) better than a silver filling; this is an excellent question! The answer is both yes and no (as it is with anything that has both pros and cons). Both white and silver fillings have pros and cons to them.
Most research has shown that silver fillings do last longer then white fillings. However, this comes with a large grain of salt. Silver fillings have not changed much over the last 50 years; while white fillings are constantly being developed. Most of the time research is old and does not represent the latest white fillings. Also the difference in longevity between silver and white fillings is very minor.
Most of the time silver fillings require more tooth structure to be removed then do white fillings. Sometimes the amount of tooth structure is minor but sometimes it is unnecessary.
It is also important to consider aesthetics. Most people consider silver fillings to have no aesthetic value at all; white a nicely matched white filling will go unnoticed. The significance of this may make a difference to a person if the tooth is in the back or the front.
Finally, for a long time silver fillings have been associated with mercury. This is a substance that a lot of people do not want in their body even if the risk or harm is very low. However, this does not mean that white fillings are safe. White fillings were originally made with BPA (Bisphenol A). Bisphenol A is a compound that has been associated with plastics and causes behavior problems especially in children. So when choosing a white filling over a silver one, it is important to know if it is BPA free or not. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
