2006-08-26 11:01:38 · 16 answers · asked by brittanykahlen.s2 2 in Health ➔ Dental
To the answer above: I would NEVER let my insurance company make a health-care decision for me. They are in business to make a profit, NOT to make those sorts of decisions.
There are advantages to both kinds of filling materials. Metal (amalgam) fillings have been used for decades and hold up very well over time. Tooth colored (resin or composite) fillings look better and in many cases require less tooth structure to be removed in order to stay in the cavity. Many people believe the metals used in amalgam fillings are harmful, but no absolute studies back this up.
Both types of materials depend on the surrounding tooth to support them - like sand in a bucket. Both can cause small cracks in the teeth from changes in temperature. Both can conduct heat and cold, but to different degrees.
Over time, the nice bright siver material tends to darken and most people don't like the look of it, even on back teeth. It is possible to replace large fillings with porcelain inlays and onlays which are bonded to the tooth, but these are expensive.
If you know and trust your dentist, listen to his/her recommendations. Please, never make a decision based on the cheapest solution, which is what your insurance company will favor. Remember, your insurance company doesn't know you, doesn't see inside your mouth, and won't care if that filling fails in a year.
2006-08-26 11:43:14 · answer #1 · answered by emmalue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The grey/silver fillings are still the strongest type of filling material available (apart from crowns and inlays etc). Your dentist will usually suggest that an amalgam filling should be placed in an area where there are going to be increased chewing or biting forces. Dentist will usually suggest the use of tooth coloured fillings where possible.
2006-08-27 00:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by mickeymaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with Emmalue. I usually do when it comes to dentisty. In my office we do not give a choice. We don't even have the materials to do the metal fillings.
Why? Well over time those metal fillings do what is called "thermocycling". This means that they expand and contract with changes in temperature. Over time they separate from the tooth allowing bacteria to get under them and cause recurrent decay. This decay is hard to see on an x-ray because the metal blocks it out. I say one study that showed that 100% of all metal fillings that are removed, have recurrent decay. They also can cause cracks to form in the tooth, which can cause the tooth to fracture.
We don't give the choice. It has nothing to do with what the insurance pays. Our office is not a contracted provider for insurance anyways, so we don't have to do what the insurance company wants. If someone wants this cheap stuff, they can go elsewhere. We wont put our name on something that is going to fail in about 5 yrs., or less.
2006-08-26 14:06:28 · answer #3 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You actually have a choice, it is your mouth. The silver material is amalgam and the white can either be composite (plastic) or porcelain (which costs around $500). Generally the amalgam(silver) is used on your posterior(back) teeth where as the composite or "tooth colored" material is used on anterior(front) teeth. The silver material lasts longer where as the tooth colored material has a life span of 2 to 7 years. The silver material is more affordable where the composite is cosmetic.
2006-08-26 15:57:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer agree that having a hollow area filled at a dentist is worse than having a tooth pulled out. as long using fact the section at which the tooth is approximately to be filled is wisely deaden by using the dentist. you does not fill any discomfort. the only ingredient felt is the vibration of the drilling gadget to smoothing the hollow area for the almagan.
2016-09-30 00:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by lavinia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general, the 'tooth colored' fillings, or composite resins, are used on the anterior (front) teeth and the silver amalgam fillings in the posterior teeth. The composites can be used on the back teeth as well but the cost might be just a little more.
2006-08-26 20:15:07 · answer #6 · answered by Jennifer L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually the silver filling are slowly being replaced by the "tooth" colored ones. Silver ones were generally used on back teeth, because it is cheaper and you really don't see it. I have the "tooth" colored ones on a front tooth and one by one I'm having the silver ones replaced.
2006-08-26 11:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by Heidimax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I can tell you is that my dentist gave me a choice, saying that the tooth colored ones were really for "vanity." I don't know---but a year later 2 of the colored ones hurt like hell and I have to wonder what's up with that.
2006-08-26 11:06:59 · answer #8 · answered by Jake A. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It usually depends on the strength the tooth has to withstand and how visible the filling will be.Metal fillings have more strength and are usually placed in molars where they are not visible but can bear more forces.But nowadyas white fillings with more strength are available and so the metal fillings are not used much.
2006-08-26 13:24:18 · answer #9 · answered by simply 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have insurance and can pay you get the tooth colored filling...
If you don't have insurance and can't afford much, you get the silver filling...
It is all about the money.
2006-08-26 11:09:00 · answer #10 · answered by unworthychild 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋