White Fillings vs. Metal Fillings

Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, and Ripon, California

 

White fillings and metal amalgam fillings are the two most common options to restore damage to your teeth caused by cavities. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand the differences between the two options so that you can choose the right one for your individual needs.

 

The Modesto family dentists at Sierra Dental Care will review the pros and cons of each with you in great detail before recommending the ideal option to suit your needs.

 

Advantages of White Fillings

 

White fillings are made from a composite resin. It is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with materials such as quartz, silica, or barium to add strength. Originally introduced in the 1960s, composite fillings have dramatically improved in quality in recent years. They are highly effective for filling cavities in both your front and back teeth.

 

Advantages of white fillings include:

 

• The composite resin bonds to the tooth, restoring its original strength. The composite material won’t expand and contract due to temperature changes the way metal amalgam fillings do. Therefore, your teeth aren’t susceptible to fracture the way they are with metal fillings. In the long run, this can save you a great deal of money on future restorations.
• White fillings can be created to match the shade of your other teeth, giving them a much more natural looking appearance than metal fillings.
• Your teeth will be less sensitive to hot and cold.
• White fillings are mercury-free. Currently, there is still some debate among the dental community about whether mercury, which is present in metal amalgam fillings, presents health hazards to patients.
• Less of your natural tooth structure will be removed with white fillings. Therefore, the size of the hole made for the filling can be much smaller.

 

Advantages of Metal Amalgam Fillings

 

Metal amalgam fillings have been the industry standard for more than 150 years. They are made from a combination of equal parts mercury and an alloy powder containing silver, zinc, copper, and tin. The mercury is used to bind the metals together into a durable filling.

 

Advantages of metal amalgam fillings include:

 

• They are significantly less expensive than white fillings. Dental insurance generally will not pick up the additional cost of white fillings, so you will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket.
• General dentists do not require any additional training or technology to place amalgam fillings.
• In order to properly place white fillings, your dentist will need to make sure that no saliva enters the region being filled during the procedure. This can sometimes prove difficult, especially when filling teeth in the back of your mouth.
• While metal amalgam fillings weaken your tooth over time, the filling material is actually stronger than the composite material used for white fillings.

 

Which Material Should I Choose?

 

Overall, white fillings represent a more conservative treatment since less of your natural tooth structure must be removed to place the filling. They also reduce the likelihood of a tooth fracture in the future, making them a better option to provide long term tooth protection. Whenever possible, our Modesto family dentists will recommend white fillings to our patients.

 

However, both options provide you with a highly functional restoration. Therefore, you must weigh the pros and cons of each, including the significant increase in cost of white fillings, before deciding which option is best for you.

 

Please contact our Modesto family dentists today to schedule your white fillings appointment at Sierra Dental Care, serving patients in Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Salida, and Ripon, California.