Should I Have My Silver Fillings Replaced?
Have you been wondering whether you should have your silver amalgam fillings replaced? If so, you've come to the right place. Your trusted team at Kraklow Quality Dentistry will evaluate your existing restorations and help you determine whether replacing them is your best option.
Silver Fillings Overview
Silver fillings, or dental amalgam, have been used over the last 150 years to repair hundreds of millions of cavities. Concerns about the safety of the filling material continue to arise due to its mercury content. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) supports amalgam fillings as safe, reliable, and effective for treating dental decay.
Amalgam fillings come with some disadvantages. The filling material does not bond to the tooth structure, so it does not strengthen teeth weakened by tooth decay and cavities. Moreover, teeth restored with silver fillings require removing more healthy tooth material and are more prone to fractures than those restored with composite resin fillings. Dentists around the world continue to use amalgam fillings to treat decayed teeth because of their durability and affordability.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Resin Fillings?
At Krakow Quality Dentistry, we are proud to offer tooth-colored composite resin fillings that deliver long-lasting strength and aesthetic results. These restorations are undetectable when you smile, leaving you with an incredibly natural looking and feeling smile. Best of all, they require less healthy tooth structure removed to place the filling. Composites bond to the tooth structure, providing strength and resilience to the weakened tooth. Their smooth margins prevent recurrent tooth decay or chips, and if any damage occurs, composite resin fillings are easy to repair.
When Should You Have Silver Fillings Replaced?
At Kraklow Quality Dentistry, we prefer leaving functional amalgam restorations alone unless they pose an aesthetic concern. We typically recommend removing and replacing silver fillings if the tooth structure has fractures or cracks, if the filling material is damaged, fractured, cracked, or chipped, or if there's evidence of tooth decay, loose fillings, or poor margins. Many of our patients opt for replacing silver fillings with tooth-colored ones to get rid of their "tin grin" and achieve a white, natural-looking smile.
Quality Dental Care Near Me
A consultation with your trusted team at Kraklow Quality Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, will help you determine whether replacing your silver fillings is right for you. We will evaluate your current restorations and recommend the best course of action to safeguard the health and beauty of your smile. You can always trust us for outstanding care and service. Call us and schedule your appointment today!