Should I have My Metal Fillings Replaced?

Dental amalgam has been used for decades to repair tooth decay and cavities. However, concerns about the safety of the filling material continue to arise. If you are wondering whether you should have your metal fillings replaced with tooth-colored ones, talk to your trusted team at Afton Dental. We will evaluate your restorations and help you determine whether replacing them is the best option for your oral health.

Disadvantages of Metal Fillings

Here are some of the reasons many patients and dental practices are moving away from silver amalgam fillings:

Will Cause Cracks in Your Teeth: Amalgam fillings expand and contract with temperature changes, weakening your tooth structure and leading to cracks and fractures. A fracture leaves a tooth exposed to bacteria and debris, leading to cavities.

Contain Mercury: While ongoing studies have not established that the mercury in silver fillings is detrimental to your health, peace of mind is often a consideration.

Wear Over Time: Unlike composite fillings, which bond to your teeth, amalgam fillings are packed into the cavity, much like filling in a pothole. Over time, these restorations may start to “leak” or pull away from the teeth, exposing areas where bacteria can enter and cause tooth decay.

Can Hide Decay: Silver fillings are opaque to x-rays, which makes it almost impossible to see a cavity under the filling unless it is extensive. In some cases, this can make the difference between getting another filling or needing a root canal treatment.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Here are some of the many reasons many patients and dentists are opting for replacing silver fillings with composite resin restorations:

Suitable for Repairing Any Tooth: In the past, tooth-colored fillings were only suited for repairing front teeth. However, the composite resin material continues to be reinvented and improved upon, with modern white fillings offering excellent solutions for repairing any teeth, even the molars.

Provide Aesthetic Results: Composite fillings are closely matched to the color of your surrounding teeth, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with your smile.

Preserve Healthy Tooth Structure: White fillings are conservative restorations, requiring the removal of less healthy tooth structure than other types of fillings, such as silver amalgam.

Strengthen the Tooth Structure: The composite resin material is micro-mechanically bonded to your tooth structure, providing strength and resilience comparable to your natural tooth enamel.

Prevent Problems Down the Road: Tooth-colored fillings bond to your natural tooth structure and come with smooth margins, which helps prevent recurrent tooth decay. 

Should You Replace Your Metal Fillings?

Whether or not you replace your amalgam fillings is a personal decision. Our team at Afton Dental is happy to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you determine whether replacing your amalgam fillings is right for you.

Dental Fillings Near Me

If you are considering replacing metal fillings with tooth-colored ones, talk to your trusted team at Afton Dental in Concord, NC. We will evaluate your unique needs and recommend the best long-term options for your smile. Call us at 704-788-1717 to schedule your appointment today!