Frequently Asked Questions  
     
     
 
What are the advantanges of having a tooth-coloured filling over a silver filling? Is it true that silver fillings may cause health risks?
 
 
 
 
 
 

The composite resin (tooth coloured) fillings have come a long way in recent years. Their strength and longevity is now comparable to that of the silver fillings, but with much enhanced esthetics. The dentist has the capability to match the filling exactly to the shade and colour of your tooth, such that no one else will ever know you had a cavity.

Another advantage of these tooth-coloured restorations is that the preparation is relatively conservative. Only decay is removed, and the filling is then bonded to the area that has been prepared.

 
     
 

Silver fillings do not have the same bonding capacity, and therefore relies on mechanical retention to hold the filling in place. As a result, good tooth structure is taken away to create the ideal depth and undercuts required to achieve adequate retention.

Another advantage of composite restorations is that they are typically less sensitive to hot or cold, as metal tends to conduct tempurature more readily.