MEDICAL INSIDER
DR. RHODA ENTERO
POSTED FOR SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
30 Colored Fillings versus Amalgam Fillings –
Colored Fillings versus Amalgam Fillings –
Which One Should You Choose?
(Part 6)
We will now discuss “The Test of Time” for
Amalgam Fillings. The average amalgam filling
can last from 8-10 years compared to only 5-7
years when it comes to colored fillings. They can
even last a lifetime if you take good care of them
and avoid things that can break your molar teeth
further, like eating sweets without brushing your
teeth, chewing gum constantly, or bruxism.
The Best Option for Incisors: You can’t use
amalgam on front teeth because it will look like
you have a piece of food stuck in your teeth
permanently. It’s also not really silver-colored but
more of a shade of gray. The cosmetic option for
front teeth like your canines, incisors, and the first
few molars is colored fillings. They’re made to
better blend in with the rest of your teeth in an
almost seamless manner.
The Best Option for Molars: Dental amalgam
remains the best option for molars even though
they appear black or gray splotches on your
cavities as though they’re asphalt for the teeth.
This is because they’re tough enough to survive
the strong bite forces at the back of your mouth
and they’re hidden away so they won’t ruin your
smile.
Concerns Regarding the Frequency of Visits:
With white or colored fillings, even though they’re
aesthetically pleasing and superior to making
your front teeth cavities disappear without a
trace, they definitely have issues when it comes
to maintenance and limiting dentist visits. It takes
only a year or two before the filling breaks down
and needs filling again. With amalgam, you don’t
have to worry about frequent visits. You instead
have a separate mercury poisoning concern that
the FDA insists is a non-issue.
Let Your Dentist Decide with You: Your dentist
should recommend the best course of action to
fix your tooth with a cavity while you’re the one
with the final say. You’re both supposed to decide
together what sort of filling to get even though
nowadays the default is resin composite or
colored fillings in light of the dangers of mercury
poisoning from your amalgam filling. This is why
it’s crucial that you’re informed when it comes to
the pros and cons of both filling types. Unless
resin composite fillings improve then amalgam
fillings will still remain.
In Conclusion
Composite fillings are more advanced than dental
amalgam. However, the latter tends to still be
tougher than the former. That’s why it’s usually
used in molars where the bite forces are
exceptionally strong. Both filling types are
supposed to protect your teeth from extreme
chewing circumstances that can lead to further
tooth damage thanks to all the holes in your
teeth. A dentist should be the person responsible
for determining which filling type is most
appropriate for your needs.
Regardless, you need to know the difference
between amalgam and colored fillings. This will
enable you to be aware which filling is the best
for you and why your dentist would choose one or
the other filing type for you. If your teeth
degradation has advanced enough such that
there’s barely anything left of the tooth, then a
dental cap or crown as well as dentures might be
called for instead. Neither filling will be able to
reconstruct a tooth that’s barely has any dentin or
enamel left. You should also be wary of root
inflammation that might require a root canal
treatment.