Pros and Cons of White Fillings

The most common dental problem patients face is tooth decay, which leads to painful cavities. Fortunately, most teeth with cavities can be saved if they get early attention from the best dentist in Scarborough, before the decay has the chance to weaken the tooth or cause infection. Tooth fillings are the first phase in saving decayed teeth, and you can now choose to get white fillings vs. silver fillings.

How White Fillings Work for Patients

White fillings have several benefits that traditional fillings lack. These include:

1. Natural Appearance

The most attractive benefit of white fillings is the colour. The fillings are made from composite resin that mimics the appearance of natural tooth material, which makes them practically invisible to others. This is especially important if you develop a cavity in a visible tooth, because a traditional amalgam filling will be unsightly.

2. Easier Placement

The composite resin material bonds easily with your natural tooth, so it requires less work and time during the tooth fillings procedure to get it to adhere. Unlike amalgam fillings, the resin attaches directly to the tooth. The material is more flexible, so the dentist needs to do less drilling. This helps to preserve more of the natural tooth than is possible with metal fillings.

3. Less Expensive Than Restoration

White fillings can restore decayed teeth to full functionality without the cost of a dental crown or implant. This is an ideal solution for patients with multiple cavities, particularly if they don’t have dental insurance.

After a consultation with the best dentist in Scarborough, you will have a detailed treatment plan. You will know precisely how much you can expect to pay for white fillings vs. silver fillings, and which option is the best choice for you.

Disadvantages of White Fillings

Few things in life are without any disadvantages, and tooth fillings are no exception. There are a few instances where silver fillings out-perform the white. These are:

1. Longevity

White fillings last 7 to 10 years in healthy patients, provided they have good dental care that includes regular checkups and teeth cleanings. Silver fillings last 12 to 15 years, which gives them a longer lifespan and ultimately makes them a less expensive option. Patients should take this factor into account when choosing white fillings vs. silver fillings.

2. Longer Procedure

Placement of white tooth fillings is typically a longer procedure than that of metal fillings, mainly because the dentist needs to keep the treatment area as dry as possible to get the material to adhere. This can increase the duration of the tooth fillings procedure, which affects the cost.

3. Sustain Damage

Composite resin fillings may be resistant to corrosion, but they aren’t immune to other kinds of damage. Patients who suffer from bruxism, for example, may find their white fillings get chipped during nightly tooth grinding.

These are all factors to bear in mind when you’re choosing white fillings vs. silver fillings. A visit to the best dentist in Scarborough can help you determine whether you are a good candidate for tooth fillings and decide on the way forward.

Please call 416-291-3117 or click here to schedule an appointment today.