MEDICAL INSIDER
DR. RHODA ENTERO
POSTED FOR AUGUST 13, 2023
30 Colored Fillings versus Amalgam Fillings –
Colored Fillings versus Amalgam Fillings – Which
One Should You Choose?
(Part 1)
For most people, the default choice for fillings would
seem to be the colored ones, especially if the cavities
are not severe.
However, thanks to the advances of dental
technology, a person is no longer relegated to just one
option when filling up those holes in your teeth.
Aside from composite filings, you can also use dental
amalgam. Both have their respective pros and cons.
The main and most obvious difference between the
two is the color.
Resin composite, white, or teeth-colored filings use
materials that are made from things that match your
teeth color. Meanwhile, amalgam fillings are made of
metal instead.
Since each filling type has its own list of advantages
and disadvantages, let’s take a closer look at what
those pros and cons are. Doing so can help you make
a more informed decision on how to deal with your
dental cavities efficiently and dependably.
What Are Colored Fillings?
Colored fillings, also known as composite or resin
composite fillings, are made with ceramic and plastic
compounds. From the start, dentists weren’t able to
use colored fillings at the back of the mouth where the
molars are. This is because resin tends to break
under the bite forces of your molars, which are extra
strong when you grind and chew.
A Toothy Shade: Colored fillings are colored like your
teeth. This is what makes them ideal when it comes to
fixing your front teeth, where an off-color filling will be
most obvious to the naked eye. However, they’re not
only reserved for front teeth anymore. This hasn’t
been the case for years. It’s the filling of choice for
cosmetic dentistry for sure.
Composite Fillings at the Back: There are now
extra-strength composite fillings capable of surviving
the biting strength of molars at the back of your jaw.
These composite or colored fillings are however not
chosen for several other reasons other than quality or
strength. For example, dental plans have no coverage
for colored filings for molars. You might need to pay
out-of-pocket for that service.
Front Teeth Mostly: There are dentists who view
using dental fillings at the back of the mouth a waste
because they think they’re reserved for restoring a
person’s smile by their use on front teeth. Other
dentists forego this advanced method of filling in
cavities because they still can’t last a long time and
can wear out easily due to all that grinding and
chewing.
Invisible and Easy Adhesion: Because colored
filings are the same color as your teeth, it’s easier for
them to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
Furthermore, they easily adhere to your toot surface
because the resin composite material is made for
easy dentin and enamel bonding. Granted, if the
cavity becomes too big, no amount of filling will be
enough to fill out that hole and have it stick. (To be
continued)