Composite veneer or silver amalgam

A beautiful smile is one of the concerns of every patient who has lost their teeth for various reasons or has broken teeth and full lips. Dental composite is a safe, excellent and guaranteed way to remove stains and damage to the teeth, allowing patients to have a beautiful and memorable smile. In this article, we will examine the differences between composite veneers and silver amalgam.

According to the American Academy of Dentistry and the Food and Drug Administration, studies have shown that filling teeth with silver amalgam is safe, but composite veneers are a great alternative to amalgam because they have a natural color similar to the patient’s other natural teeth. Composite veneers are placed in the tooth cavity and are soft at first, then harden with a special blue light.

All About Fillings for Decayed Teeth

Dental fillings, or dental composites, are used for teeth that have been affected by tooth decay and cavities. When patients develop cavities, the dentist removes parts of the natural teeth that are contaminated with bacteria and food debris.

Dental materials are used to fill this void and maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. Patients can choose to have their cavities filled with silver amalgam or composite veneers, although the dentist will assess the patient’s overall health and recommend the best option.

Silver amalgam fillings have been widely used for decades because they are less expensive, and some mistakenly believe that they last longer than composites.

However, today, most dental clinics have turned to filling patients’ teeth with composite veneers because their color is more compatible with other natural human teeth, and another important reason not to use amalgam is the sensitivity of many patients to this metal.

For more information about the benefits and risks of filling teeth with amalgam, follow us in the rest of the article so that you can better decide which material is the best option for your treatment needs.

Benefits of filling teeth with composite veneers

The majority of people will experience cavities at some point in their lives, which if not treated in time, will lead to more extensive tooth decay and, as a result, root canals. Because of these dental cavities, most people repair them with dental fillings.

Dental filling treatment consists of two stages: First, your dentist cleans the infected tooth and removes all parts containing decay and damage; Next, the dentist places the dental filling material, which is the composite veneer, into the empty tooth cavity using special radiation.

Composite veneers are an ideal treatment for filling dental problems because they can generally be completed in one dental appointment, are relatively inexpensive, and have few side effects.

Some of the benefits of composite veneers for filling decayed teeth include:

Short treatment time: The filling treatment can be completed in less than an hour.

Long-term: A dental filling lasts about five to seven years and usually does not cause any sensitivity or discomfort for the patient.

Cost: Some clinics typically cover patients under dental insurance.

Appearance: Composite veneers are a good alternative to silver amalgam because of their very natural appearance.

Dental Fillings Risks and Side Effects

Both silver amalgam and tooth-colored composite fillings come with the following risks and side effects:

Sensitivity: Some patients experience sensitivity to hot and cold in the weeks following surgery.

Pain: Some patients experience pain when biting or putting pressure on their teeth in the days following surgery.

Retreatment: Your dentist will permanently remove the damaged areas of your natural teeth and fill them with a synthetic material. Eventually, the composite bonding material, or silver amalgam, used to fill the space will wear out and need to be replaced. Dentists in Ottawa expect composite fillings to last five to seven years, and silver amalgam fillings to last about 12 years.

Risks of Using Silver Amalgam

Silver amalgam fillings come with some risks. Over time, silver amalgam fillings can expand and contract in place due to temperature changes, which can eventually damage and weaken the tooth structure. Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, which can be toxic to patients.

However, several studies have been conducted to determine whether silver amalgam fillings pose any health risks, and no conclusive evidence has been found.