Have you ever heard of white fillings? It’s becoming more popular amongst our Harlow patients to choose white fillings to treat cavities instead of their metal, amalgam counterparts. In this blog, we discuss the benefits and differences between white and amalgam fillings so that if you ever need to have a cavity filled, you’ll be better informed as to which is the best option for you!
White fillings versus amalgam fillings
You’ll most likely be familiar with traditional amalgam fillings. This type of filling uses an alloy of metals containing silver, tin, copper and mercury. There has been quite substantive debate over the years whether metal fillings containing mercury are a risk to public health. Although there is no conclusive evidence to support this, we don’t recommend amalgam fillings to children or pregnant women.
White fillings are made from a tooth-coloured composite resin and do not contain any metal or mercury. Because they blend in with your teeth, white fillings are virtually undetectable to the eye, making them the more desirable option compared to metal fillings, which can draw attention and disrupt the aesthetic of your natural smile.
White fillings also create a seal around the margin of the tooth rather than just plugging the cavity, which means they offer an added level of protection. Although both treatment options will last for several years, amalgam fillings are often the stronger and cheaper choice.
Removing your metal fillings in favour of white fillings
So as not to expose the gums and teeth to the potentially damaging effects of mercury, removing amalgam fillings is a task that needs to be conducted by confident dental experts. Here at Lister House Dental Centre in Essex, our talented dentists are experienced in removing amalgam material and repairing damaged teeth and cavities with a white composite alternative.