Have a Cavity? Here’s Why We Recommend White Fillings Over Silver Ones.

Here’s a fact that probably won’t surprise you: Nearly 90% of American adults ages 20-64 have at least one cavity in their teeth.

Here’s another fact: Those cavities need to be filled to prevent the tooth decay that causes cavities from getting worse and leading to significant oral health issues, such as tooth loss. 

In the past, there was one choice for the filling material — a metal amalgam silver in color. Thanks to modern technology, a new white composite filling is available. But which one might work better for you? 

At American Dental Clinic in San Diego, California, we recommend white fillings over silver ones. Here’s why.

What are dental fillings made of?

Fillings traditionally have consisted of metal amalgam, usually a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. This combination was used because it’s strong enough to stand up to high pressure, such as the pressure your back molars exert when you chew. 

Metal amalgam also hardens quickly and can last a long time.

White fillings are made of a composite resin that’s a mixture of plastics and filler. Not only does this combination work on cavities, but it can also serve as a bonding mixture to fill in cracks or gaps in teeth and cover stains or discolorations.

The advantages of white fillings

One of the biggest reasons we recommend white fillings is the resin can be customized to match your teeth in color, making your fillings much less noticeable than metal ones. 

White fillings can also address smaller spaces in your teeth better than amalgam, meaning more of your natural tooth enamel can be preserved when you get a filling. 

Because the resin blends in so well with your teeth, white fillings can also treat the sides of your teeth to improve the shape and size of your teeth. 

While composite fillings aren’t quite as strong as the metal version, stronger resin has been developed in recent years. That means that white fillings can still last a long time with proper oral hygiene. 

Using composite fillings also avoids putting metal (including mercury) into your body. Plus, metal fillings can discolor teeth over time.

Considering all these factors, we recommend white fillings for our patients in most cases. 

If you need a cavity filled — or a dental cleaning to prevent cavities — our expert team at American Dental Clinic can help. Call our San Diego office at 858-215-2951 or use our online scheduler to book your appointment today.