‘Silver’ fillings are a thing of the past. Your dental fillings now can be virtually undetectable.

Tooth colored fillings which are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than other types of fillings. Tooth colored fillings are actually bonded to teeth compared to silver / amalgam fillings, which are not.

How do the tooth colored fillings look?

Tooth colored filling material comes in a great number of colors (shades), and are matched to your individual tooth color. Typically, a different type of material is used for front and back teeth. The materials used for front teeth have a high shine; whereas, the materials for back teeth are designed for strength, but will look great.

Which is better silver or porcelain fillings?

Mercury fillings require the removal of the middle third of the tooth. The material itself is weak and cannot be used in a thin layer. The dentist must drill deeply into the softer dentin area of the tooth and drill undercuts into the healthy tooth even where there is no disease. This approach was developed in 1908 by G.V. Black. As a result of this kind of filling, the tooth is now weakened by 75%.

Mercury fillings also expand after being placed in the tooth. The bigger the filling the more they expand. If any moisture gets into the filling they expand rapidly. Temperature can also cause expansion. All this expansion within the tooth eventually results in fracture.

How long will they last?

Tooth colored fillings now are harder and more durable than silver / amalgam fillings. A small filling could conceivably last your lifetime, and larger fillings can be expected to last many years. The factors that determine the lifespan of a particular filling include: the tooth (molars take more force than bicuspids), the size of the filling relative to the tooth (smaller fillings will usually be more durable than larger fillings), and how teeth are cleaned and maintained daily.

We look forward to having the opportunity to serve your dental needs. For additional questions, please refer to our Dental Health Center section of our web site, or for appointment requests or additional enquiries please call 703.585.2688 or send us an email.