Silver vs. Composite Restorations: It’s Not All About the Looks
If you ever had fillings done before the 1990’s, chances are they were amalgam fillings, or more commonly known as silver fillings. Despite what the name implies, the filling (restoration) is not entirely made of silver, but rather a mixture of two or more metals, such as silver, copper, tin and mercury. Amalgam fillings require the removal of additional healthy tooth structure, darken/stain the remaining enamel and are aesthetically unappealing.
Thanks to advances in the dental field, today we have a superior option for dental fillings, composite resin. This type of restoration is a mixture of acrylic resin and glass-like particles. And unlike an amalgam filling, it bonds to the tooth. Composite fillings also permit for preservation of more tooth structure, have a low risk of leakage, do not corrode, are resistant to breakage, and can be matched to fit the unique shade of the patient’s mouth.
Nothing Lasts Forever
A dental filling may last many years before it needs to be replaced; however, constant assault from eating and drinking, or stress from clenching or grinding, or simply the passage of time will eventually cause amalgam fillings to fail. Because amalgam fillings sit in the tooth rather than bond to the tooth like composite restorations do, the edges of the filling break down, cause leakage and lead to recurrent decay underneath the filling. This problem is often not visible in dental x-rays; therefore, regular dental examinations are important to detect this problem at an early stage. If fillings are not replaced when this happens, the decay can progress and infect the dental pulp. At this point, you’ll need a root canal! Don’t wait until the tooth hurts or a crack appears in a filling to replace a restoration. Often, the fact that it hurts means it is too late to treat the tooth with the most conservative approach and the treatment becomes more extensive and expensive.
www.guymangiadds.com