Composite fillings, referred to commonly as “white” fillings, have gained a massive amount of popularity since their introduction. Unlike amalgam fillings, which are silver in color and easily visible, composite fillings are matched to the natural shade of the tooth in order to provide a seamless filling inside the tooth that is almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. While there are numerous positive aspects of composite fillings, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Continue reading for a full breakdown of the pro’s and con’s of replacing amalgam fillings with composite fillings.
Aesthetics
Obviously, the most attractive feature of composite fillings is the aesthetics. Composite filling material comes in a wide variety of shade options, allowing dentists to completely customize the fillings that they place for their patients.
Composite fillings provide individuals with confidence in their smile, as once they are finished, the patient’s smile looks virtually untouched. In some cases, the finished result may even be more visually pleasing than what the dentist started working with.
Drawbacks Of Amalgam Fillings
To understand why so many people choose to replace their amalgam fillings, it is important to consider the drawbacks associated with them.
One of the biggest negative connotations associated with amalgam fillings is the fact that they contain mercury. Mercury, when properly set inside the tooth, has been cleared as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The real danger when considering the mercury content inside amalgam fillings is when the amalgam material is being packed into the tooth, as well as when it is being removed from the tooth. It has been observed that inhalation of mercury vapors has the potential to cause negative reactions in the brain and kidney.
Amalgam fillings also require a considerable amount of the natural tooth to be removed in order for the dentist to place the filling inside the tooth. While composite fillings simply require the decay to be removed from the tooth, amalgam fillings require a certain amount of natural tooth to be removed in order to prepare the tooth for the filling. This can lead to further and more serious complications down the road in the case that the filling fails or further decay occurs underneath the filling.
Benefits Of Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings have proven themselves to be useful in dentistry for over 150 years, and many people have been more than satisfied with their restoration work done with amalgam filling material. While they may not be especially aesthetically pleasing, amalgam fillings are made to last, and are much more durable than composite fillings. They are much less likely to break, and they very rarely need to be replaced as often as composite fillings; in fact, it is not uncommon for amalgam fillings to last a considerable amount of time, if not a lifetime.
Amalgam fillings are also considerably less expensive than composite fillings; for individuals who are on a budget, amalgam fillings are often the best choice.
Benefits Of Composite Fillings
Composite fillings started gaining popularity in the mid 1990s, and have remained a patient favorite since their introduction. One of the main attractive features of composite fillings is that they give the patient full confidence in their smile.
Composite fillings also do not require a considerable amount of the natural tooth structure to be removed prior to their placement. This helps prevent further issues down the road; in the case that any further decay develops in the tooth, it does not necessarily mean that the tooth is too far gone and can not be saved. Composite fillings also bond directly to the natural tooth structure when they are placed, which helps prevent bacteria and food from slipping between the filling and the tooth, which can lead to decay.
Drawbacks Of Composite Fillings
While composite fillings may at first seem like the obvious choice, it is important to consider the drawbacks associated with having them placed.
Composite fillings, while aesthetically pleasing, are not as strong or durable as amalgam fillings; many people find that they will have to replace their composite fillings approximately every seven to ten years. Of course, there may be exceptions in which composite fillings last a considerable amount of time or even an entire lifetime, but in most cases, it has been observed that composite fillings need to be replaced after a certain amount of time.
In the case of large fillings, composite material may not always be the best option, especially when considering fillings that come close to the gumline. Composite material can not come in contact with any liquids while it is being placed, or it will not set correctly. It is for this reason that fillings that either come close to the gumline or go below the gumline are usually done with amalgam filling material, as amalgam is not hydrophobic and can easily be used to fill a large cavity in the tooth.
For more information about fillings and which style would be right for you, give us a call at (703) 938-3405 or come by our Oakton, VA dental office. We are here to provide Oakton and the surrounding areas of Fairfax and Vienna with top-notch dental care.
