Silver vs white fillings

Composite resin is the white option for people who want a filling to blend with the tooth colour. It can be used on front or back teeth and has good durability and fracture resistance in small to mid-size fillings under moderate chewing pressure.

People with allergy or heightened sensitivity to mercury, silver, copper, or tin should not receive amalgam. People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, nursing, younger children, and people with neurological disease or impaired kidney function are among groups encouraged to use non-amalgam restorations where appropriate.

Composite fillings cost more than amalgam and may not be covered by some insurance plans. Their placement takes longer because the tooth has to be kept clean and dry while the cavity is filled.

No filling lasts forever. Composite has good fracture resistance for small to mid-size fillings, but some studies find it less durable than amalgam and more likely to need replacement over time.

Amalgam can cause oral lesions or sensitivity reactions in people allergic or sensitive to its metal components. Composite can be unsuitable for people with a relevant hypersensitivity, and it can require replacement more often than amalgam in some studies.

Preventing cavities avoids the need for either filling material. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and regular dental visits reduce the risk of cavities and other dental disease.

Compare the tooth's location and chewing pressure, the desired appearance, the need to keep the tooth dry during placement, insurance cover, and any allergy, kidney, neurological, pregnancy, nursing, or age-related precaution relevant to amalgam.