Silver vs. Tooth Colored Fillings From a Dentist in Houston

Two cars are sitting in front of you. You need a car, and these are the only two options you can pick from. Both can get you where you need to go, and you can afford both. One is an older model, silver colored, and is very durable. The other is newer, sleeker, and bright white. Which one should you pick? If you have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, you have the same choice when it comes to teeth fillings. Dr. Mark Gray and Dr. Newman, each a dentist in Houston, want you to know the key difference between the two.

Why You Might Need a Filling

When a tooth becomes damaged because of a cavity or trauma, its remaining structure needs to be reinforced for the tooth to remain viable. Otherwise, the compromised tooth could easily break further, which can eventually lead to it needing to be extracted. A filling is an easy way to help fix s moderately broken or decayed tooth while still preserving the remaining structure.

Silver Colored Tooth Fillings

As the name describes, these fillings are made of metal, but it is actually amalgam as opposed to pure silver. Amalgam typically consists of tin, copper, mercury, zinc, as well as silver. Amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for many years because of their durability. They are also very cost-effective for patients. However, the dark metal color does not blend well with other teeth. Whenever a person opens their mouth to talk, eat, or laugh, it is quite easy to spot a silver filling. You have probably seen some yourself. The amalgam also does not actually bond to a tooth, but rather is held in place by a ledge that the dentist has to form within the tooth’s structure. Occasionally a patient could also shows signs of being sensitive to the metal.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Tooth colored fillings are made out of a strong composite resin, which itself is composed of plastic and small particles of glass. This ensures that the resin is both strong and malleable enough to support and conform to your tooth. The resin also more closely matches the color of the rest of your tooth, so it is much less noticeable to you or other people. The resin can actually bond to your teeth, which leads them to be a bit more durable than the amalgam fillings. They enable you to eat any type of hard or crunchy food, and can last for decades with simple brushing and flossing.

Which One Is Right for Me?

If you have damaged teeth in any way, a filling might be the best solution. An examination with us can help you decide which type of filling best suits your needs. Either way, we will take care of you and ensure you can smile easily for years to come.