Silver amalgam has been the dental standard for fillings for over one hundred years. While modern dentistry is changing and we move further away from them, other options become available. There are several reasons you might want to consider composite fillings for your teeth and a few drawbacks to paying attention to.

Some people worry about the mercury present in silver amalgam and avoid the fillings. However, the ADA says that the levels of mercury in these fillings are safe, and studies have not shown them to be dangerous to patients.

Benefits of Composite Fillings

Many patients choose composite fillings over amalgam for the simple reason of color. Composite fillings are custom colored to match your teeth and are virtually invisible to the people you are talking to, a stark contrast from amalgam fillings, which you can see, even in the back of the mouth, if you laugh or smile big enough. 

Composite fillings can let you smile without feeling self-conscious about where people are looking. The color matching of these fillings also means that they can hide minor cosmetic flaws and improve the way your teeth look. 

Because the composite bonds to your tooth better, it is less likely to come loose or fall out. Typically, the dentist needs to remove less of the tooth's structure to support the filling.

Composite Fillings Shortcomings

Typically these fillings have half the life span of an amalgam filling, averaging around seven years. Compared to other options like an amalgam, it is more costly and not as durable. 

Vallejo, CA Dentistry – Fillings and More!

Morgan Nordstrom, D.D.S and William C. Vizzolini, D.D.S. provide quality dental care to the greater Vallejo, CA, area. If you need fillings or other dental work done, please contact us for a consultation meeting to see how we can help.