I am confused. My dentist has always done the silver, amalgam fillings. However, recently, he told me he is switching to the white fillings. I was sort of excited about it, but the lived experience has been difference. The first one fell out a week later. I went back and he replaced it. Then, that one fell out. When I went back again, he just went back to giving me the silver ones. That one has stayed. Are amalgam fillings stronger than the white fillings?
Kelly
Dear Kelly,
Most dentists are switching to white composite fillings because the word is out that the silver fillings have a main ingredient of mercury, which is a known toxin. While the American Dental Association still says they are completely safe, you can see why patients are concerned. But, are the white fillings actually superior? In reality, the white composite fillings end up making a stronger bond with your tooth than their older silver counterpart.
If that is the case, why did yours fall out twice? The process for placing the two different types of fillings are not the same. It is not as simple as just switching the material. Your dentist needed to learn the updated process. One key difference is their can be no moisture present on the materials.
While it is great that your dentist is trying to catch up with the times in the type of filling material he uses, he doesn’t seem to know the actual procedure to place them. If you want white fillings, you may be better off seeing a mercury-free dentist, who is skilled in placing them. This will be especially true if you want to switch out your old silver fillings for the white ones. You don’t want to risk inhaling any mercury or mercury vapors. A dentist with the right materials and training knows how to do a sanitary amalgam removal, which will protect you from that serious risk.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.