Why Have Amalgams Become Less Popular?

Lots of people still have older style amalgam fillings. These are fillings that look silver or grey in the mouth, and which were widely used to repair cavities in back teeth as the material is durable, relatively long-lasting and cheap. However just recently there has been a move away from placing amalgam fillings, and more and more people are opting for white fillings that blend in with the rest of their natural teeth and which look much nicer. There have also been some concerns about the mercury content of amalgam fillings, and although clinical studies have deemed them to be safe, some people feel more comfortable having these fillings removed and replaced with metal free restorations. So what should you do if you have amalgam fillings?

Amalgam Fillings Can Be Problematic

If you are a regular patient at Bromley Dental Practice, Dr Zaki Bashir will be checking the condition of these fillings at every appointment. Amalgam fillings generally last for around ten years before they need replacing. As they age they can begin to leak and crumble.

There are several problems that can develop due to having amalgam fillings. Firstly, your Bromley dentist will need to remove all the decay from the tooth as well as some of the healthy tooth structure before placement. Once in position the material will expand and contract every time you eat or drink something hot or cold. This constant flexing can eventually cause tiny fractures in the filled tooth, weakening the overall structure.

It might not be the best solution to remove an amalgam that is still in good condition, but when the time comes Dr Bashir will make sure it is safely taken out and properly disposed of. At this point it is well worth considering white fillings, and here is why.

White Fillings are a Tooth Friendly Solution

IF you do have a tooth that has a cavity or which has become chipped or cracked due to an accident, then tooth coloured composite resin can restore it in a way that will work in harmony with your tooth. The actual preparation of the tooth is slightly different, as your dentist in Bromley will only need to remove damaged or decayed areas of the tooth, leaving more of the healthy tooth intact. The actual composite resin bonds very strong with the natural tooth, and does not expand and contract.

In the past composite resin fillings were only used to repair front teeth as the material was not strong enough to withstand being chewed on. Nowadays modern composites are very strong and durable. One thing to bear in mind is that white composite resin does eventually become stained, so it will need replacing at regular intervals to keep your smile looking its very best. White composite fillings are not expensive so it should be easy to keep your smile healthy and looking its best.

Composite resin is used to repair small to medium sized cavities. If you have larger areas of decay then Dr Bashir will recommend you have a different type of filing made from porcelain or gold as this will help restore the tooth to full strength.