White fillings are weaker than silver fillings and might not last as long. There is a higher chance of cavities reforming under the filling, called recurrent decay, with white fillings. White fillings tend to be more expensive than silver fillings.
White fillings don't last as long as silver fillings, and on average sustain for about 7-10 years. Nonetheless, they're still an incredibly strong, successful treatment for most cavities.
No more flashes of silver when you speak or laugh! These days, white fillings are the standard among most dental offices. There are two reasons for this: white fillings just look more natural than silver fillings, and white fillings are much safer than their silver counterparts.
White fillings require less drilling.
Some people find they experience less post-treatment discomfort and sensitivity when using white composite fillings. Amalgam fillings can often hide further tooth decay from x-rays; white fillings don't have this problem. Teeth with white fillings are less prone to cracking.
The Best Types of Dental Fillings: Composite and Porcelain Fillings. The best and most popular types of fillings are composite and porcelain fillings. Both of these options offer their own benefits for patients with cavities.
Fillings made from amalgam are fifty percent mercury, with other metals like copper, tin, and zinc that make up the rest. Amalgam or silver fillings have long been considered the best option for dental fillings because they are affordable and durable. In fact, they can last for years with proper care.
Composite resin also matches the natural luster of teeth. Once the material is hardened, Dr. Jobst can further polish the resin so it has a reflective quality similar to your natural tooth. White fillings are so natural looking that many of our patients can't tell where their fillings start and end.
In most cases no, it is not recommended that you replace your current metal fillings with newer white or tooth-colored fillings. After all, in most cases metal fillings are not dangerous or unhealthy to have in your mouth. Therefore, it is not important for your health to have them changed to white fillings.
Yes, silver fillings can be replaced with white fillings but other options such as inlays and onlays may be more suitable when the filling is large.
Amalgam fillings can fracture as they age, which also breaks the protective seal and can lead to decay. The metal in amalgam fillings can also cause unsightly dark gray stains on the teeth and gums.
In general, porcelain fillings don't last as long as composite metal fillings, typically lasting 5-10 years while composite fillings can last 15-20 years. In addition, porcelain fillings are more expensive and more difficult to place in the mouth than their silver counterparts.
White-colored fillings are mercury free fillings. They won't harm your health like the mercury fillings can. The tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite mixture of glass and plastic. These fillings are not only less toxic than silver amalgam fillings; they're much more pleasing to the eye.
Composite tooth fillings can often yellow or brown over time due to foods and beverages you intake, or other variables. If you get your teeth professionally whitened, the composite filling will not brighten and may be more noticeable.
As with many metals that are exposed to a wet environment they will begin to break down and oxidize, often times turning black. When this happens the filling itself is weakened and shrinks, which allows bacteria to enter the gaps and create new decay.
Composite fillings are made from a resin designed to match the color of tooth enamel. They aren't as noticeable as metal fillings, but they are less durable. Composite fillings may cost between $150 to $300 for 1–2 teeth or $200 to $550 for 3 or more teeth.
White fillings are appealing especially because they are the same colour as the teeth and therefor basically unnoticeable. Since they attach right to the tooth, patients with a broken tooth can receive a white filling to restore the tooth's shape, which may not be an option with silver fillings.
Silver fillings are also less expensive than white fillings, so they're good for your bottom line. The main advantage of white fillings is their color. If you develop a cavity in a highly visible part of your mouth, you may prefer a tooth-colored filling.
Even though the cost of dental services varies from state to state and also on the tooth, you can expect to pay $115 to $300. For this amount, you can change your amalgam filling with a composite filling.
White fillings on back teeth are increasingly the preferred choice for patients and dentist alike. Recent advances in the technology of white filling materials, composites and porcelains, have made their performance comparable or superior to that of traditional silver amalgam fillings.
It's true, dental fillings unfortunately do not last forever. Though they are applied in such a way that ensures they stay put for many years, life happens, and they still can come loose.
Small amounts of mercury are released as vapor over time, which is why some people worry that silver fillings can be toxic. While the American Dental Association emphasizes that this amount is generally low enough not to cause toxicity, any damage to the filling could speed up the release of toxic mercury.
Many patients see their composite fillings lasting for about ten years. But if you take really great care of your fillings, they may be able to last you longer than that — and even a lifetime!
The scientific literature shows that most white composite fillings will last about 7-10 years in healthy patients – but this estimate is based on older kinds of composite fillings, and significant advancements in filling manufacturing have been made since that time (and continue to be made).
There is no single number of how many times you can have a filling replaced. Usually, we will stop replacing the dental filling after the hole becomes too large. Once you have more filling material than natural tooth material your tooth no longer holds enough strength.