Are Composite (white) fillings a better choice than Amalgam fillings?
Composite fillings are chemically bonded to the tooth whereas Amalgam fillings are not. Amalgam fillings corrode over time causing staining of the tooth and they contribute to cracks & fractures of teeth; the corrosion leads to the formation of a gap between the amalgam filling and the tooth, and subsequently to a cavity occurring under the amalgam filling. It is estimated that by the time an Amalgam filling is 5 years old, that a cavity will be occurring under the Amalgam filling in 90% of cases. Amalgam fillings also contain Mercury, which is one of the main components of Amalgam. It is true that Composite Fillings have the potential for causing more sensitivity than Amalgam fillings, but this is due to the dentist not following the correct protocol for placement of a Composite filling, rather than the composite itself. I do not use Amalgam as a filling material in my Clinic, I would not want an Amalgam filling in my mouth; so why would I use this material on you.
