Don’t Wait To Replace Your Old Silver Fillings!

Do you have old silver fillings and find yourself feeling a bit envious of the millennials who appear to have no metal in their mouths? Today, cavities are most often filled with composite resin, which is the same color as the tooth it is bonded to. Those who had their cavities filled back in the 90’s and the decades prior most likely have amalgam, also known as silver fillings.

Silver fillings do not seal the tooth, they leak trace amounts of mercury vapor, and are not aesthetically pleasing. White composite resin fillings by comparison are safer for the individual, better for the tooth to which it’s bonded, and are virtually unnoticeable to the untrained eye. Because composite fillings are bonded with the tooth, they actually make the tooth itself stronger. On the other hand, metal used in amalgam fillings corrodes over time causing it to expand and contract, and over the years this can cause fractures in the tooth.  A broken tooth is not only painful but often requires a root canal or a dental implant if the tooth is lost. Both procedures are far more costly than replacing old silver fillings. 

At Allen Dental, we use composite resin fillings when correcting cavities. Composite resin filling is the most conservative restorative option for a decayed or broken tooth in dentistry today. The composite resin filling material is available in many shades to match the color of the tooth that it will be placed in. Using a white filling material is not just about aesthetics; it is also about conserving your tooth structure. When a tooth has decay present and needs to be fixed, a white filling only requires the removal of the diseased tooth structure (the cavity). In contrast, when using silver fillings, healthy enamel and dentin is removed.

At Allen Dental, we know it’s not a question of if, but when old silver fillings will fail and cause further decay and damage to your teeth. Protect your investment by replacing your old silver fillings with white fillings for a healthier, long lasting beautiful smile!