014 – Talk To The Dentist – Silver vs. White Fillings – Cost, Sensitivity, Toxicity?
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While I haven’t placed a “silver” (also called “amalgam” or “mercury”) fillings in about 10 years, they are still probably the most common restoration in America. No one likes the way amalgam fillings look. We often get cold sensitivity with them and over the long term teeth seem to fracture more with them. And then there all that talk about toxicity from the mercury?
But what about white “composite” fillings? Do they cause more sensitivity? Are they toxic? And why do they cost more?
What if you don’t like either choice. What are the alternatives?
I’ll tell you why we place only composites, and how I really feel about them. Enjoy!
My daughter has three cavites inwhich are molars that are on the back bottom, Two on the left bottom and one onthe right bottom back. My question to you is which has the most strongest life span
over the years? white or silver?
Thanks for the question. White filling, if well placed, will last about as long as silver. They do not release mercury however, and this is particularly important in children because their brains are still developing. They also bond to the tooth and help prevent the fractures that can develop over the years in teeth filled with silver amalgam fillings.
While teeth with white fillings can be cold sensitive, I do not have as many problems with the white fillings as I used to have with silver.
Good luck!