Difference Between Silver and White Fillings

It is never fun to learn that one requires a filling procedure. Fortunately, advancements in dentistry have made cavity filling procedures quick and comfortable. Nowadays, there is plenty of choice when it comes to choosing the right treatment to restore a damaged tooth – the most popular being silver amalgam and white fillings.

If you are interested in white fillings in Lewisville, TX, finding out the difference between the two might help make a decision.

The Role of Dental Fillings

The use of dental fillings is necessary for restoring teeth that have been destroyed, broken, or worn. Accumulation of bacteria on teeth leads to plaque development, which consequently erodes teeth because of the acid and creates cavities. When ignored, the process of decay may go further into the roots of the teeth, which in turn may lead to infection.

Dental fillings serve for restoring the damaged tooth back to its proper state.

What Are Silver Fillings?

Silver fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, have been around for quite some time now. Silver fillings consist of a mixture of metals like silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are widely used by dentists today in order to fill cavities present in the molars.

Benefits of Silver Fillings

• Extremely durable
• Very resistant to biting pressure
• Usually less expensive than composites
• Resistant to moisture during filling

Drawbacks of Silver Fillings

• Visible fillings
• Requires more tooth removal
• Susceptible to expansion and contraction caused by heat
• Some people don’t like fillings made of metals

Although amalgam fillings work very well, there are other filling materials that can be considered.

What Are White Fillings?

It is clear just from the name that white filling is something that resembles tooth structure and thus is applied in cavities on the front or rear part of the mouth without having any effect on aesthetics. However, due to the modern advancements in dentistry, white fillings have become something which is both aesthetically appealing and structural in nature as well. 

Benefits of White Fillings

The advantages of white fillings include being able to blend well with the rest of the teeth, leaving more of the tooth structure untouched, providing added strength because they bond directly to the tooth, and not containing any mercury.

Downsides of White Fillings

The white fillings are quite costly compared to metal fillings and may not last too long in large cavities. This treatment could be more time-consuming than other types and may wear off after being subjected to excessive chewing and bruxism.

Which Filling Type is Right for Me? 

All in all, it will depend on the extent of the decay, your affordability, and your personal preference regarding appearance. It is more common for people to choose white fillings as these give the natural look, especially in visible teeth. If the cavity is too big and occurs in molar teeth, then your dentist may recommend you get metal fillings.

Filling Procedure – What Should You Expect?

Dental filling procedures usually require just one dental appointment. The decayed part will be removed, then cleaned and filled with the material. At the end of the procedure, the tooth will have its original strength and functionality restored.

Tooth-Colored Fillings: When to Go For Them in Lewisville, TX?

Most people choose to get their teeth treated using composite fillings due to the opportunity to maintain the look of their teeth while not endangering their dental health. It is a fact that there has been much development made regarding tooth-colored fillings that makes them strong and highly efficient.

It would be great if you chose our dental center as a place where to get yourself checked up for any issues before getting tooth-colored fillings in Lewisville, TX. 

In order not to need fillings in the future, you need to take care of your dental hygiene regularly, clean your teeth two times per day, reduce sugar consumption and brush properly.