In years past, people have generally seen filling materials (silver vs. white) as a matter of personal preference. If you wanted strength and economy, you would choose a silver filling. If you valued aesthetics, then a white one was your best option.
Happily, you don’t have to make such a choice any longer.
Benefits of White Fillings
White dental restorations are made of a composite resin. This material used to be rather weak, but it’s only getting stronger with time. Composite fillings are now used to restore back teeth which experience a lot of biting force.
How are composite restorations better than silver ones?
- They blend in with natural tooth color
- They create a better seal with the tooth
- They more closely match the strength of natural teeth
- They won’t tarnish
- They don’t contain the debatable mercury element
Why White Fillings Are Worth It
Does it really matter which kind of restoration you choose?
It can make a big difference. If you choose the more conservative option of composite, then you’ll be able to preserve your natural tooth for much longer. Additionally, if your filled tooth develops a new cavity, it can be harder for an x-ray to detect around a metal filling. A white filling allows for a little more visibility.
Keeping Up With Modern Dentistry
As the dental field continues to progress in understanding and technology, Preston Sherry Dental Associates are always up-to-date.
Few dental offices these days still provide metal fillings. We hold to the standard of care that composite restorations represent. To get your old metal fillings replaced with beautiful white ones, call our practice to schedule a visit.