Catching a glimpse of a silver filling when you laugh or smile can instantly make you feel embarrassed that your previous dental health is on full display. If you’ve ever felt this way, you might want to consider getting your dental fillings replaced.
Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures in dentistry, and for more than 150 years, silver amalgam was the go-to material. Silver dental fillings were used for decades, until they started to decline in recent decades, as tooth-colored composite resin for dental restorations became more widely available.
Today, more patients are asking their dentists about tooth-colored composite fillings, and many who still have old metal restorations often wonder if it makes sense to replace them.
Continue reading to get an honest, side-by-side look at both materials, including what is involved when you decide to replace an old dental filling, and where to find a dental provider who offers the best dental fillings in Los Gatos.
Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Silver Amalgam Fillings
Dental fillings are a popular and necessary restorative dental treatment that replaces part of a tooth that is destroyed by tooth decay. Silver amalgam is not primarily made of silver. Mercury makes up about half of the material, with silver, copper, and tin filling out the rest. It is a metal alloy that has been packed into cavities for well over a century, and for a long time, it was the only practical option dentists had.
Tooth-colored fillings are composite dental fillings made from a blend of acrylic resin and finely ground glass particles, and the process of placing one involves applying the material in layers, with each layer hardened using a special curing light before the next one goes in. The final layer is then shaped and polished to match the natural contour of the tooth, and the result looks and feels like a natural tooth.
Do Silver Fillings Contain Mercury?
Yes, amalgam fillings contain mercury. In fact, they are made with around 50% mercury. Amalgam releases small amounts of mercury vapor over time, and how much vapor is released can depend on the age of the filling as well as habits like teeth grinding or chewing.
That said, the scientific picture is more nuanced than many online headlines suggest. Multiple major health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization, have reviewed extensive research and concluded that amalgam fillings are safe and effective for the general population. The mercury found in amalgam is elemental mercury, which behaves differently in the body than the methylmercury found in contaminated fish.
Should You Avoid Silver Fillings?
Where things get more specific is with certain groups of people. The FDA recommends that certain people avoid amalgam whenever possible and use mercury-free alternatives like composite resin instead. Those who should avoid amalgam fillings include:
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Young children
- People with pre-existing neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease
- Anyone with impaired kidney function or a known sensitivity to mercury
If you fall into one of those categories, that is a conversation worth having with the best dentist in Los Gatos before any filling is placed. For everyone else, the current evidence says amalgam is not a health emergency, but it is worth understanding what is in your mouth and what your treatment options are.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
The most obvious reason people switch to composite is appearance. A tooth-colored filling blends into the surrounding enamel so well that most people cannot spot it, even in photographs. Someone could have an entire mouth full of composite fillings, and you would never know the difference, which is something that simply cannot be said about silver amalgam. That visibility matters to a lot of people, especially for fillings in teeth that show when they smile or talk.
There is also a structural concern that many patients never hear about. Amalgam fillings expand when exposed to heat and contract when exposed to cold, and that repeated movement over time puts pressure on the surrounding tooth. This can create small fractures in the enamel and gaps at the edges of the filling where bacteria can settle in and start new tooth decay. Composite fillings do not respond to temperature changes the same way.
Should You Replace Your Old Silver Fillings?
The FDA recommends that if your filling is in good condition and there is no decay beneath it, you should not have it removed, because the process of removal can temporarily release more mercury vapor than simply leaving the filling in place.
That said, there are clear situations where replacement makes clinical sense. Legitimate reasons to replace an existing amalgam filling include:
- Tooth decay develops around the dental restoration
- Cracks or chips in the filling or the surrounding tooth
Making the switch for personal reasons, such as disliking the appearance, wanting a metal-free mouth, or feeling more comfortable without mercury in their restorations, is also very valid.
Finding the Best Dentist in Los Gatos for Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
Choosing between tooth-colored and silver amalgam fillings is not a decision you should have to make alone, and it is not one you should make based on fear or guesswork. The right filling material depends on the size of the cavity, where it is in your mouth, your health history, and your smile goals. At Smiles Los Gatos, Dr. Bliss Zin offers a patient-centered approach to restorative dentistry. We offer a thorough evaluation of your oral health and make recommendations based on evidence and your future health.
Ready to ensure you have a healthy mouth for life with help from the best dentist in Los Gatos?