What is the benefit of composite (tooth colored) bonded fillings over silver mercury (amalgam) fillings?
There’s some debate in the dental industry regarding the pros and cons of using silver fillings, or dental amalgams, to fill cavities. At our office, we exclusively use composite resins for several reasons. First, composite resin actually bonds to your tooth structure, protecting against decay and strengthening the tooth. And of course, strength means better longevityincreasing your chances of keeping that tooth for life. By contrast, dental amalgams do not form such a bond: they simply form a mechanical barrier to decay. Thus, over time, the amalgam-treated tooth can weaken, often creating a liability to your long-term dental health. Resins are also advantageous in providing long-term bacterial invasion protection. Once bonded, the filling won’t wear down or change its shape despite the incredible forces of biting and chewing. Since there’s no cracking or shifting involved, there’s no ‘place of entry’ for bacteria. However, silver amalgams on biting surfaces do change shape with bitin
