Not all fillings are created equally. What are the differences of white fillings versus silver fillings? Well there are several differences in the way these fillings are made. However there are also many differences in the reasons that a dentist is more likely to use one filling over another with different patients.

White fillings or composite fillings and silver fillings or amalgam fillings are that they are created for different reasons. It is not all about the look either. Here are some specifics about each of these types of fillings.

White fillings or composite fillings

a.    Bonding ability to strengthen the overall tooth
b.    Natural looking increasing overall self esteem of the patient
c.    Less sensitivity to heat and cold
d.    Over the long run these fillings save money
e.    These fillings are free of toxins like mercury
f.    There is less need to remove so much of the tooth that is has decay
g.    They are more expensive to make originally
h.    The placement uses a higher level of technology
i.    Composite is more aesthetics than the silver fillings

Silver or amalgam fillings

a.    These are the tried and true fillings, they have been around for years
b.    Silver fillings are less expensive to have initially put in
c.    No extra training to the dentists
d.    Where a composite filling takes more time and needs special placement like the site the filling is being completed cannot have any saliva, so therefore there has to be cotton placed in several places in the patients mouth causing some discomfort, the silver fillings do not have any needs like this.
e.    The filling itself is very strong
f.    There is some concern that the mercury in the filling material weakens the tooth
g.    It takes roughly 40% less time to create a silver filling than it does to make a white filling

Many dentsist are so used to putting in the silver fillings that they continue to do this even with the technology available for the composite fillings. However the dentists that want to look at all the options will give you the  choice. There is a duty to the patient to explain all the options available. So if the dentist does not ask you what you want, they are not thinking about your overall satisfaction of your smile and teeth.

A dentist will put a filing in for certain reasons. Yes, they put it in for the replacement of the decay they remove but it is more than that.

A person with a lower level of oral hygiene practice, or who may not be able to afford the white fillings may be the perfect candidate of silver fillings.

Front teeth look better with the white fillings, so a dentist may look at always putting the white filling in for those teeth.

A person may not be able to sit still long enough carefully to have the composite white fillings placed so a dentist may apply the silver fillings instead.

There are many reasons a dentist will choose to do one type of white fillings versus silver fillings. However remember there are several differences in the two fillings, therefore it is your choice to decide which one will work best for you. Ask your dentist question and see what his or her suggestion is. However the final choice is up to you. It is your teeth and your money.