Your dentist says you have a cavity, then asks something you weren't ready for: tooth-coloured or silver? It sounds like a small choice, but it decides how the tooth looks and how much of it gets cut away. At Care Plus Dental Clinic in Sector 8, Sanpada, Dr. Divya Vitkar talks every patient through it. Here is how tooth-coloured vs silver fillings really compare, and when each one makes sense.
Composite vs amalgam filling: what's the actual difference?
A silver filling is made of amalgam, a mix of metals that includes silver, tin, copper and mercury. It has been used for well over a century. A tooth-coloured filling is made of composite resin, a tooth-coloured plastic with powdered glass in it.
The two work differently in the tooth. Amalgam is packed into a shaped space and held in place by the walls of the cavity. Composite is bonded to the tooth and hardened with a curing light. Because it bonds, less healthy tooth usually has to be removed to hold it.
Tooth-coloured vs silver fillings, side by side
- Looks. Composite is matched to your enamel shade and is hard to spot once polished. Amalgam stays grey and shows when you laugh or open wide.
- Tooth removed. Composite bonds, so the dentist can keep more of your own tooth. Amalgam needs a shaped space to stay put, which can mean cutting a little more.
- Strength. Amalgam has a long record in back teeth that take heavy chewing. Composite has improved a lot, but a very large filling in a molar is a different conversation (see below).
- Visits. A straightforward filling of either kind is usually done in one appointment.
- Time in the chair. Composite is placed in thin layers and needs the tooth kept dry while it sets. That takes a bit more time and care than packing amalgam.
Why Care Plus places tooth-coloured fillings
At our clinic in Sanpada, tooth-coloured composite is what Dr. Vitkar uses. Her training is in endodontics, and her default is to keep as much of the natural tooth as possible. A bonded filling fits that approach, because it asks for less of the tooth.
You can see how a standard filling visit goes on our tooth-coloured fillings page. This post is about the choice itself, so you can walk into any dentist's chair and know what you are being asked.
Is a silver filling safe?
This is the question behind most silver filling searches, so here is the straight version. Amalgam contains mercury, and it can release a small amount of mercury vapour, more so when you grind your teeth or chew gum hard. The US FDA still considers amalgam safe for adults and for children aged six and above.
The FDA does suggest that pregnant or nursing women, people planning a pregnancy, and young children ask their dentist about other materials. That is a sensible thing to raise with any dentist, and it is one more reason many people simply choose composite.
How long do tooth-coloured fillings last?
With good care, a composite filling typically lasts several years. Nobody can promise a number, because the lifespan depends on how big the filling is, where it sits and what your mouth goes through. Grinding at night wears any filling down faster, and our post on teeth grinding at night explains how to tell if that's you.
Frequent sugary snacking is the other big one. New decay starts at the edge of an old filling, and no material fixes that for you.
Should you replace your old silver fillings?
Probably not, if they are in good shape. This is the honest answer, and the one people don't expect. The FDA advises against replacing amalgam fillings that are intact, because drilling one out releases more vapour and takes away healthy tooth along with it.
Replacing a silver filling does make sense in a few cases:
- The filling has cracked, chipped or worn through.
- Decay has started underneath or along its edge.
- The tooth around it has a crack.
- It sits on a front or side tooth and the grey bothers you every time you smile.
If none of those fit, leave it alone and have it looked at during your regular check-up. Our guide to how often you need a dental check-up will help you set that gap.
When a filling is not enough
Sometimes the cavity is bigger than any filling should carry. If more than half the tooth is gone, or a cusp has cracked, a filling of either kind can break again. Dr. Vitkar may then suggest a crown, which wraps around the whole tooth. You can read more about dental crowns and bridges before you decide.
If decay has reached the nerve, you'll feel it as a deep, throbbing ache or sharp pain to hot and cold. That tooth may need a root canal, not just a filling. Saving the tooth is the default plan here. If cold sensitivity is your main symptom, start with our post on sensitive teeth, since it is not always a cavity.
What do fillings cost?
We haven't been able to verify a reliable Navi Mumbai starting price for either material, so we won't quote a made-up number here. The price depends on the size of the cavity, which tooth it is and the material. Dr. Vitkar will give you a quote at the consultation, before any work begins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between composite and amalgam fillings?
Composite is a tooth-coloured resin that bonds to the tooth. Amalgam is a silver-grey mix of metals that includes mercury. Composite blends in and usually needs less tooth removed. Amalgam has a long track record in heavily used back teeth.
Are tooth-coloured fillings better than silver ones?
Neither wins every time. Tooth-coloured fillings look natural and conserve more tooth. Silver ones are strong in back teeth. For most small to medium cavities, people choose composite for the look and the bonding.
Is a silver filling safe?
The US FDA considers amalgam safe for adults and children aged six and above. It suggests that pregnant or nursing women and young children ask about alternatives. Talk to your dentist about your own situation.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Only if they are cracked, worn, leaking or decayed underneath, or if the grey bothers you. The FDA advises against replacing fillings that are in good condition.
How long do tooth-coloured fillings last?
With good care, typically several years. Size, position and habits like grinding all change this, so your dentist can give you a realistic idea for your tooth.
Where can I get tooth-coloured fillings near Sanpada station?
Care Plus Dental Clinic is at Shop no. 17, Tricity Montview, Sector 8, Sanpada. Patients also come from Vashi, Juinagar, Nerul and Turbhe.
If a dentist has told you that you need a filling, or you're wondering about an old silver one, book a visit at Care Plus Dental Clinic, Shop no. 17, Tricity Montview, Sector 8, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. Dr. Vitkar will show you what she sees, explain the options, and you decide together. You can read about her fellowship and training on the Dr. Divya Vitkar page.
Source: US FDA: Dental Amalgam Fillings, information for patients and health care providers.