There are various factors that can affect the appearance of your teeth, and one of them seems to be the presence of silver amalgam fillings that have been used to repair your teeth following damage or tooth decay.
Many patients ask our dentist whether they can change their silver fillings to white ones. Silver fillings are made of a mixture of liquid mercury and metal alloy and are used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Silver fillings are very strong; they are a good choice for teeth that need to withstand a lot of force, such as molars. Visiting the dentist regularly and maintaining good oral hygiene can help silver fillings last between 10 to 15 years, and for many years amongst dentists and patients alike, these fillings were the preferred choice for treating decayed teeth.
White fillings, also known as composite fillings, consist of a composite resin, which is a tooth-coloured mixture filled with plastic and resin. The mixture is durable; therefore, unlike silver fillings, white fillings do not expand or contract; silver fillings do because of fluctuating temperatures inside your mouth, making your teeth more prone to damage.
Some studies show that the use of mercury may be hazardous to health. The advantage of white fillings is that they do not contain any mercury or metal. Silver fillings must be mechanically bonded to the teeth and require some teeth to be removed to hold the filling in place. An advantage of white fillings is that they are chemically bonded to the teeth and usually require fewer teeth to be removed.
If you have silver fillings, then you should consider changing to white fillings if your fillings have become damaged or if there are any signs of decay. Replacing fillings that are otherwise in good shape is not recommended since doing so could cause damage to your teeth, and in many cases, this is unnecessary; therefore, your silver fillings should remain. If your tooth has become decayed or damaged, then our dentist here at the Benhill Dental Practice can change your fillings from silver to white fillings Sutton.
A fundamental reason why many patients want to change from silver to white fillings Sutton is because of the unpleasant appearance of silver fillings. Silver fillings may be visible when you laugh or talk, and this can affect your confidence and the appearance of your smile, making you self-conscious about it, which can have a negative impact on other aspects of your life.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and find that it is affecting your life, then speak to us at Benhill Dental Practice and find out about converting from silver to white fillings Sutton. Book an appointment today and find out more about changing your silver fillings to white fillings here at Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton. Visit our website or give us a call, and we can make an informed decision on whether or not changing your fillings is a suitable course of action.