White Fillings Or Traditional Amalgam?

Our Bedford patients have a choice of the traditional or the modern aesthetic version.

The most common dental treatment by some way is the tooth filling. Most people will have at least one of these in their lifetime and very often many more. It has long been the standard way of restoring a tooth that has been affected by decay, repairing cavities that will only grow over time if not promptly treated.

The most widely used type of filling is amalgam. This is the one that most of you will probably know best and certainly for those long out of their youth. Amalgam has been a successful way of filling a tooth due to its strength and longevity, but it certainly isn’t without its drawbacks. In today’s blog, we will take a look at these and the use of alternative filling materials.

What is amalgam?

An amalgam filling is made from a number of different metallic elements. These include silver, tin, copper and, most controversially, mercury. It is this latter element which causes most concern as it is a toxic material in liquid form. Studies have shown though, that when used in dental fillings, it doesn’t pose a threat to the patient. Nonetheless, these concerns have probably been one of the factors in the shift towards alternative dental filling materials.

Another key factor is that amalgam produces a dark coloured filling that is very visible when the patient laughs or smiles. With people paying more attention to the way that their teeth look as well as their health, it is not surprising that white dental fillings are becoming increasingly popular.

What are white tooth fillings?

White dental fillings are made from various ingredients but most often from a mixture of glass particles, resin and a setting ingredient. This produces a white coloured filling that blends in well with the natural colour of your teeth. This is especially beneficial for the front teeth which are easily seen but also on the rear teeth which people might still notice when you laugh or yawn.

Are white fillings strong enough?

It used to be the case that white fillings could only be used on teeth with low impact and would rarely be used on the rear teeth that do a lot of chewing etc. Amalgam was always preferred here due to its strength. Over time, white fillings have improved to the point where they can be used on larger cavities than before. In some instances though, where damage is significant, it may be preferable to have a crown fitted. Your dentist will be able to advise.

Other benefits

Aside then, from the aesthetic appeal of white fillings, what are the other advantages for patients of The Dental Centre Bedford?

One significant benefit which may not be obviously noticeable to patients is that placing amalgam fillings often requires more of the natural tooth to be removed than when white fillings are used. This is because amalgam does not bond particularly well to the tooth enamel and the tooth has to be shaped so that the amalgam will be securely held in place. This is less the case with white fillings which bond well to the tooth and therefore often requires the removal of less of the natural tooth structure.

Another benefit is that unlike amalgam, the white filling material doesn’t shrink over time. Amalgam can do this and can leave tiny gaps between the edge of the amalgam and the tooth. Although these gaps may be very small, they are sometimes large enough for bacteria to find its way into and further tooth decay can occur.

Although not a serious issue, some people who have amalgam fillings may also suffer from occasional ‘electric shock’ sensations when, for example, a metal fork comes into contact with the metal amalgam filling. This can cause what is known as a galvanic shock which may  occur when different types of metal come into contact with each other and can be very unpleasant for a split second although should cause no lasting pain. As white fillings contain no metallic substances, the chances of experiencing this are much reduced.

There is also the environmental impact of the use of mercury. Studies have shown that waste water from dental environments sometimes contains small quantities of mercury which then find their way into the water system, causing obvious concern. This is one of the reasons why it is likely that amalgam fillings will gradually be phased out in favour of white tooth fillings which contain no mercury.

If you live in the Bedford area and would like to find out more about our white cosmetic fillings or indeed any other treatment, why not give us a call today? You can contact The Dental Centre Bedford either by using the form on our website or calling on 01234 819868. We look forward to your call!