Most people have fillings of one sort
or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not
only functional, but can be natural looking as well.
Many people don't want silver fillings that show when
they laugh or smile because they are more conscious
about the way they look.
Are white fillings as good as silver
amalgam fillings?
White fillings have always been considered
less long lasting than silver amalgam fillings. But
there are now new materials available with properties
comparable to silver amalgam, and these are proving
to be very successful. The life expectancy of a white
filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth
and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.
Your dentist can advise you on the life expectancy
of your fillings.
Is it worth replacing
my amalgam fillings with white ones?
It is usually best
to change fillings only when your dentist decides that
an old filling needs replacing. If so you can ask to
have it replaced in a tooth-coloured material.
Some dentists prefer not to put white fillings in back
teeth as they are not always successful. One way around
this would be to use crowns or inlays, but this can
mean removing more of the tooth and can be more expensive.
