Most dentist offices today prefer to use tooth-colored fillings, except in cases where patients bite down so hard that a metal amalgam filling is the only reasonable option. It just makes sense – tooth colored fillings look better, and in the absence of a hard bite, generally work as effectively. So, are you a candidate for tooth-colored fillings, or should you go with amalgam? Keep on reading to learn more.

Metal Fillings

No one is ever going to tell you that metal amalgam fillings are attractive. They most certainly are not. However, if they are in your back teeth, they may not be all that noticeable unless you open your mouth wide. And the advantage to having them in the back of your mouth is that this is where you bite down the hardest, on the chewing surfaces of your molars. This is not to say that tooth-colored fillings are not strong, but the truth is that attractive as they are, they will not last you as long as amalgam fillings will in your back teeth. You should think about this when considering whether or not you are a candidate for tooth-colored fillings.

If you already have amalgam fillings in your back teeth, you might want to leave them in place. You could very well be a candidate for tooth-colored fillings if the decay is new, but as the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are made from a glass/acrylic combination. They do not contain any metal, so they look considerably better than amalgam fillings. This type of filling is colored to match your natural teeth. They have an advantage over amalgam fillings in that once you have been determined to be a candidate for tooth-colored fillings, and you have had the tooth filled, the tooth is immediately ready to use. With amalgam fillings, there is usually a waiting period of a day or two before the material has hardened sufficiently to be ready to chew on.

Contact Us

You probably are a candidate for tooth-colored fillings. Practically everyone is. If you want to learn more about the different types of fillings, though, get in touch with us at Boss Dental Care. We are located at 801 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, and can be contacted by phone at 361-245-5400 . You can also use the form on our Contact Us page if you prefer, to request an appointment.