Should I choose a metal filling or a composite resin filling?

Amalgam (silver) fillings are much more superior as a filling for back teeth because they do not wear down very much. Composite fillings look very pretty but are no where near as durable or longer lasting. It is a fact that amalgam fillings contain mercury but when it is mixed with the other components of the filling material, it is rendered harmless. And it is also true that when you have silver fillings in your mouth, some mercury vapor is given off when chewing but it has not been shown to cause any health problems. The American Dental Association and practically every health organization worldwide have done extensive studies on the safely of amalgam and to date, nothing has been found to prove the allegations of those who push the use of only tooth colored fillings that amalgam is dangerous to your health.

I am all for cosmetic dentistry but I draw the line when lies are spread about a filling material that has been around for over 100 years, used world wide, not proven to cause all the health problems alleged by some cosmetic dentists, and is very economic to use. Those who oppose the use of amalgam have used scared tactics by saying amalgam contains mercury, which is indeed a poison. What they leave out is the mercury is changed to a completely different material that has not been shown or proven to be poisonous or harmful. I put my money where my mouth is by insisting on a silver filling for my back teeth whenever I need a filling done. And guess what? I am perfectly healthy.

Unfortunately, it is my personal opinion that this tooth colored filling fanaticism by some (or anti amalgam movement) is all about money. It costs 3-4 times more to place a composite filling than an amalgam and it will not last anywhere near as long. Some companies who make these tooth colored fillings even have the audacity to advertise to dentists that their products are harder than amalgam. Go figure.

Many dental insurance companies will not pay to have a composite filling placed on back teeth. They only pay for amalgams and will downgrade the reimbursement to what they would pay for a silver filling when a composite has been used. So your out of pocket expense will now be much more.

My personal opinion is that you should go to a dental office that gives you a choice. Also, I believe those dentists that tell you silver fillings are poisonous are unethical and are either mislead by the composite filling industry or are only interested in their own pockets instead of the patient's welfare. Amalgams are still being done and it is still safe regardless of what you may be told by some dentists. When you call other offices, just ask if they do amalgam fillings.

This issue has created division in dentistry and has pitted dentists against dentists but misleading the public about amalgam fillings is blatantly unethical. After all, it is matter of choice and all patients should be given a choice of what he wants in his mouth with provided with the facts, not opinion. I always gave my patients a choice and I respected their decision.

The biggest drawback of amalgam or silver fillings is that they are ugly, no two ways about it but if you want something in your mouth that will last, is durable, and economical, then amalgam is the material of choice. However, if you want all your teeth to look natural and your back fillings to look invisible and willing to accept the fact that the filling material will need to be replaced often and sooner, then composite fillings are for you.

Leakage is found in composite fillings as well as amalgams and each have their faults. Composites are more likely to make your teeth sensitive and are extremely technique sensitive whereas amalgam is more forgiving. That means if you don't do every step right, composites will give you much more problems than an amalgam would.

I wouldn't want the old amalgam (metal) fillings in my mouth. Amalgam does not actually bond to the tooth as originally thought years ago. It is only held in when good retention is available. With this being said, they leak. Just about 9 times out of 10 when amalgam is removed decay is found. Then on top of all that most of patients broken teeth happen to an amalgam filled tooth. And on top of that there's the mercury thing.

Now composite fillings do bond to the tooth and can be sealed with bond. So all the edges of the filling are sealed. When sealed properly they do not leak. There is less flexing of the tooth to cause broken teeth. Now I'm not saying once to have composite filling put in you can go to town chewing on ice and other hard things, I'm just saying they are less likely to break than one filled with amalgam.

Now as to your insurance company, the reason they are paying a lower percentage of the filling is because they (the insurance company) down grades composites to amalgam and then pays their portion of that number not off the actual price the office charges. So what I am trying to say is your insurance company is cheating you not your dentist. As for you wanting to pay $100s less for amalgam, they need to be replaced every couple years and insurance wont cover them again. And not to mention is you were to break the tooth and then have to have a crown done. That's between $800 and $2000. To me it just doesn't sound practical in the end just to save $100 now.

If you are still not satisfied after all that and you still would like to find a dentist to do your amalgam fillings, good luck. They are few and far between anymore. I have worked with 4 different dentists, in 2 offices in the last 3 years and of all them, only 1 would even consider doing an amalgam on someone. And even then it was usually on an 80 or 90 year old person who just wanted it patched because in their mind they didn't have long to live. Amalgam is just not that great as once thought.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.

so which you went from an amalgam filling (silver) to a composite resin? Or vice versa? A lil perplexed in case you at present have a composite it somewhat is possibly because of the acid etch it is used. it may reason sensitivity via establishing up tubules in the dentin. it somewhat is used to distinctly lots sparkling out the area before the composite is placed. Acid etch i might basically used for composite fillings no longer amalgam fillings. Which in time it somewhat is going to subside, yet seek for suggestion from which contain your dentist you're able to need a distinctive toothpaste. in case you at present have amalgam filling sensitivity is maximum possibly brought about via galvantic ask your self. distinctly lots say you're ingesting with a metallic fork & it touches your filling it places off a ask your self like feeling that is linked with senitivty. Now galvanic ask your self is commonly used & would not bypass away. desire this helped

I agree with every word that tooth 975 said. I use both, in my 45 years of practice, and will not entirely stop using amalgam fillings. I do slightly more composite fillings and agree that I have to be extra careful with my technique or there will be more post operative sensitivity.