Fillings

There are two basic types of filling material that are widely used:

  1. dental amalgam, which is a metal alloy
  2. composite resin, which is a very hard plastic.

Dental Amalgam

Used for more than 150 years, dental amalgam (a.k.a. silver filling) is a safe, affordable and durable material used to restore the teeth of many hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Its main benefit is its strength and durability. Its downside is its appearance. The use of amalgam is declining mainly because of a reduction in dental decay and also because of the development of better tooth coloured materials.

Composite Resin Fillings

Composite resins are tooth-colored, plastic materials (made of glass and resin) that are used both as fillings and to repair defects in the teeth. Because they are tooth-colored, it is difficult to distinguish them from natural teeth. Composites are always used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay. In back teeth composite resins are more difficult to place and consequently are more costly than amalgam fillings.

Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for many years, despite periods of controversy. Berry T.G., Summitt J.B., Chung A.K.H., Osborne J.W. in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 1998 reviewed its history, summarized the evidence in regard to its performance and offered predictions for the future of this material. They stated: "For the present, amalgam should remain the material of choice for economical direct restoration of back teeth. When aesthetic concerns are paramount, tooth-colored materials, placed meticulously, can provide an acceptable alternative".

In this practice, we take the view that amalgam fillings can be used safely but that their use is reducing, mainly for cosmetic reasons. Where a patient requests an alternative to dental amalgam in a back tooth, we are happy to do so, provided that we do not weaken or compromise the tooth.