Houston White Fillings

Here are before-and-after photographs of some white fillings replacing old amalgam fillings. This work was done in our office.

There are two basic types of fillings commonly placed in teeth today. The silver amalgam fillings are the traditional type, but here at The Houston Dentists, we prefer placing white composite fillings.

Silver Amalgam Fillings and White Fillings Compared

Here are the differences:

• Saying “silver fillings” is only partially correct. While these fillings have silver in them, they have more mercury in them than silver. Many people have safety concerns about placing substances containing mercury in their mouths. White composite fillings have no mercury.
• Amalgam fillings are simply placed in the teeth and are held in place with “undercuts.” Placing undercuts means that the inner portion of the filling is wider than the outer portion, and this locks the filling into place. White fillings are held in place by bonding them to the teeth. This creates several advantages for the white fillings. Weak, undermined tooth structure doesn’t need to be removed because it is strengthened by this bond. Tooth preparations can be much smaller, so less tooth structure is drilled away. The overall strength of the tooth is restored, making the tooth less susceptible to fracture. There is a seal that keeps bacteria out of tiny grooves in the teeth and the space between the filling and the tooth, which reduces the amount of recurrent decay.
• Silver amalgam is an excellent conductor of heat and cold. So a tooth with a new amalgam filling is going to be extra sensitive to hot and cold for a few weeks. With a properly placed composite filling, there is very little, or even zero post-operative sensitivity.
• Amalgam fillings start out with a dull, gray color. Corrosion causes them to turn black with age. Composite fillings can be matched to the tooth color, so they are much more attractive.
• White fillings are more technique sensitive, meaning that a dentist has to exercise more care in placing them. To properly bond to the tooth, the tooth has to be completely isolated from oral fluids, and the placement technique has more steps. Amalgam fillings can be simply plugged into a tooth. This makes them cheaper, and the dentist doesn’t have to be as careful in placing them, and this is why many dentists still prefer amalgam. Properly placing composite fillings on back teeth often requires extra training beyond what some dental schools provide.

Call our Houston cosmetic dentists today to schedule your complimentary consultation!