Should I Have My Silver Fillings Removed?

Should I Have My Silver Fillings Removed?
Should I Have My Silver Fillings Removed?

If you are wondering whether you should have your silver (dental amalgam) fillings replaced, talk to your trusted team at High Street Dentistry. We will evaluate your restorations and will help you determine whether replacing your fillings is your best option.

Dental Amalgam Fillings Overview

Dental amalgam has been used to treat hundreds of millions of cavities over the last 150 years, yet concerns about its safety continue to arise from time to time. However, there is no evidence to support that you are better off having silver fillings replaced with alternative materials. The American Dental Association (ADA) supports the use of amalgam as a safe, reliable, and effective treatment for dental decay.

Amalgam fillings last longer and outperform their counterparts, such as composite fillings, especially in posterior teeth. At High Street Dentistry, we have many patients with functional amalgam fillings that have lasted for more than 30 or 40 years.  

What Are Your Alternatives to Silver Fillings?

For small cavities, we may recommend composite resin fillings. However, when replacing defective amalgam in restorations that are larger in nature or are covering the cusp of a tooth, we may recommend metal or porcelain crowns, or inlays or onlays (partial crowns). Moreover, if you have cosmetic concerns, especially in regards to fillings in your posterior teeth, porcelain crowns, inlays, and onlays deliver incredibly natural-looking results. 

Should You Replace Your Silver Fillings?

At High Street Dentistry, we do not advise our patients to replace their silver feelings if they are free of problems or defects. Amalgam fillings should be treated just like other restoration materials. We may recommend replacing your fillings if they show signs of decay, cracking, chipping, or poor margins. Perfectly functional silver fillings are best left alone unless they pose a cosmetic concern to you.

Quality Dental Care in Jefferson City, MO

If you are considering replacing your silver fillings, contact your trusted team at High Street Dentistry. We will evaluate your current restorations and will help you determine whether replacing them is your best option. Call us and schedule your appointment today!