A stigma attached to certain dental materials and treatments makes their use questionable in dentistry, such as amalgam fillings. Many believe that it is bad for you while others consider it perfectly safe, while some still ponder over amalgam replacement; because people do not have the complete knowledge about it. To know what is true and what is not, let us delve into some amalgam fillings dental knowledge because, in the end, it is your decision and smile that matters.
Which Filling Is Better Composite or Amalgam?
The best dental filling is actually no dental filling at all. However, practically, it just does not happen. A tooth can get damaged at any point in your life, you can be 5 or 55, yet your dentist may ask you to get a dental filling.
A tooth qualifies for a dental filling when it is:
● Chipped, broken, cracked, or fractured
● Eaten-up due to dental caries (tooth decay)
● Facial trauma or injury that affects that tooth
● Tooth damage caused by tooth grinding (bruxism)
Considering the location of the tooth that needs filling and the size of the damage, a number of dental filling materials can be used, such as:
● Ceramic
● Composite
● Glass Ionomer Cement
● Dental amalgam
● Gold
However, the debate here is about composite and amalgam fillings.
Amalgam:
Amalgam is a silver-colored dental filling material made from a combination of certain metals such as tin, mercury, copper, and silver. Of all the causes that might damage your tooth, amalgam fillings are mainly used to restore the large cavities caused by tooth decay.
Pros:
● Long-lasting
● Easy to place
● Easy to maintain
● High in strength
● Wear-resistant
Cons:
● Expands or contracts over time
● Requires large cavity preparation (more tooth structure removal)
● Compromises aesthetics
● Mercury related concerns
Composite:
Dental composite or resin composite is a tooth-colored filling material made from plastic and ceramic compounds. It can be used in almost every condition mentioned above for tooth damage.
Pros:
● Aesthetically pleasing
● Adequate strength
● Requires less tooth removal
● No shrinkage or expansion over time
● Easy to replace
Cons:
● Wears off easily
● Less durable
● The procedure is lengthy, with more steps involved
It is not about choosing one dental filling material over the other, it is about the tooth locations and strength requirements. To date, composites are considered best to be placed in front (anterior) teeth that show up in your smile, while amalgam fillings are deemed suitable for back (posterior) teeth where the primary concern is strength and not aesthetics. However, composite has improved drastically in strength over the years, and many dentists use it for every and any tooth in your mouth.
Although there is nothing seemingly wrong with amalgam filling or any other dental filling, people have concerns about it. They do not know if they need to get their replacement and if amalgam replacement is for them. Well, we have some answers for you!
How do I know if my fillings need to be replaced?
Your clothes, shoes, and other accessories, although you may not even use them consistently, need replacement or upgrade over time, then what about the dental filling in your mouth that you have been using 24/7 for countless years?
Dental fillings undergo daily wear and tear and need replacement, too, because nothing lasts forever; if they say it does, do not believe them. Here are signs that you can keep an eye out for so you know the right time to visit your dentist and get the filling replaced because old or worn-out fillings are as bad as tooth decay for you.
Crack in your filling:
Over time, the fillings get cracked due to constant pressure from eating and biting. The problem here is that you may or may not be able to visualize these cracks because some are too tiny to be seen without anything but a dental x-ray. But these cracks can allow the bacteria to invade the tooth once again and cause secondary caries. Hence, timely visits to the dentist are your savior.
It gets painful:
If your already filled tooth hurts again, it is time to get it replaced. Because if left untreated, the consequences can be deadly for your tooth.
Sensitivity:
The filling needs replacement when the tooth gets sensitive to hot and cold. Sensitivity can be due to a crack in the filling.
Discoloration:
To assess if the filling needs to be replaced or not, you can look for the signs of discoloration. A discolored filling indicates wear and tear.
Injury:
An injury or trauma to the same area where you have a dental filling calls for the filling to be replaced.
Old filling:
Old is not always gold, especially when it comes to a dental filling. A composite filling usually lasts for 8-10 years, while an amalgam filling lasts for 10-15 years. Hence, when they get old, they need to be replaced.
It is not always easy to assess when your filling needs a replacement, the best thing you can do for yourself is visit the dentist regularly because they make your fillings better!
How many times can a filling be replaced?
An amalgam filling lasts for a good 15 years, while in some cases and with excellent care, amalgam fillings have been reported to last for 20 years before the patient came in for amalgam replacement. On the other hand, composite fillings can last anywhere from 8 to 12 years.
However, the number of times a filling can be replaced depends on the remaining tooth structure. Often people cannot get even one amalgam replacement because the initial cavity preparation already compromised the tooth structure, while in other cases, a filling can be replaced 2 to 3 times until the tooth is reduced enough that it can bear no more.
How are fillings replaced?
Whether it is an amalgam filling or a composite one, the procedure of replacement is similar to the initial filling, however somewhat lengthy as the old filling has to be taken out first.
● The old filling has to be drilled out using a dental instrument.
● Once the cavity is cleaned of the old residue, it is prepared again to fit in the new one.
● The rest is the same as when the initial filling was done.
● The replacement is done with the same material usually.
Is it safe to have amalgam fillings removed?
If your fillings are in good condition and there is no decay beneath them, the FDA does not recommend that you have your amalgam fillings removed or replaced. Removing intact amalgam fillings results in the unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure and exposes you to a temporary increase in mercury vapor during the removal process.
In a nutshell
Replace the filling, or replace your tooth; the choice is yours! You can gather all the relevant information you want over the internet, however, to assess your composite or amalgam fillings, you need a dentist. Never delay filling replacement because dentistry is neither painful nor expensive, neglect is.
