You have been told you need a filling. The first thing that comes to your mind is, will it hurt? And is it going to be metal?

Well, rest a sure that at Morphett Vale Dental Care we use the latest technology and safest products, which means that your treatment is virtually pain-free and with long-lasting results.

At Morphett Vale Dental Care we only place tooth coloured fillings (composite resin) and we do not use amalgam (metal or silver fillings). Here is what you need to know about silver fillings vs white fillings so that you can make an informed decision about which type of material is best for you.

Silver vs White Fillings

Silver or metal coloured fillings – known as amalgam, are made from a combination of metals such as silver, tin and mercury. White filling also known as composite resin are made of BPA plastic and ceramic. Both materials are used to fill cavities however just like anything they have their pro and cons.

For us, it is important that our patients understand why, tooth coloured fillings are, our material of choice.

Filling history dates back to China in 659 A.D where it has been recorded that a silver paste was being used as filling material. Then during the 19^th century in France, a pair of brothers invented an amalgam of silver, copper, zinc and about 60% mercury.

The way a silver filling is placed leaves a microscopic gap between the filling and the tooth, this gap or space is where bacteria develops and multiplies resulting in decay or cavities. Composite tooth coloured fillings are bonded to the tooth, they adhere to the tooth and prevent decay from forming underneath the filling.

Metal expands and contracts with thermal changes and metal fillings are not exception to this rule, when a metal filling is exposed to changing temperatures e.g. hot coffee or an ice-cream through its expansion and contraction it creates hairline cracks on the tooth resulting on ongoing more complex dental procedures, like root canal treatments, crowns, and even tooth loss.

There are also multiple environmental concerns which is why it is important to have proper methods to keep old amalgam residual out of drinking water.

Amalgam fillings have also been linked to health-concerned issues such as birth defects, neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Tooth coloured filling material not only look so much better, bond to your tooth without living a gap for bacteria to grow, but also have no health concerns and controversy and do not have any negative environmental impact.

Silver filling have been around for over more than 100 years with very little modification to its composition, in an era where there is so much advancement and technology it is important to stay up to date with modern medicine advancements and use the best materials that are available, just like you send a text instead of a telegram, why would you have to settle on having an old material in your mouth.

If you would like to replace your old metal fillings or have concerns with your dental health call us to book a consultation time.