According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 92% of adults between the ages of 20 to 64 have had tooth decay, and a quarter of us have had at least one cavity in our lives. With these high rates, it stands to reason that many of us have received Silver Fillings as well in order to ameliorate the effects of these cavities and fill the holes that they leave. A commonly debated question these days is whether or not to replace these silver fillings with newer materials now on the market. Some people say yes; others say no. It’s a tricky question and depends, to a degree, on your personal preference. In this article, we will lay out different reasons why you may (or may not) want to get your silver fillings replaced with “white,” tooth-colored fillings.

X-ray Opacity

Silver fillings are difficult to see through on an X-ray because they are very dense and opaque. Because of this, it is hard to determine whether or not there are problems with the filling and if there are other cavities forming underneath them. Some dentists estimate that a full one-fifth of cavities are blocked from sight by the metal fillings. Because cavities tend to get worse the longer they are left untouched, it’s clear to see how this could be a problem. White fillings, on the other hand, are easier to see through on an X-ray.

Wear & Tear

Cracks in teeth also will not show up on an X-ray when silver is involved, and metallic fillings are a factor in the formation of those cracks (and their inability to be detected) as well. This is common in middle-aged people and older. Whether this is caused by new tooth decay or just average wear and tear that accompanies aging, silver fillings make cracks hard to see. There is no research that suggests silver fillings strengthen teeth either. People with silver-filled teeth might find that they are experiencing sensitivity that doesn’t come from a cavity; instead, it is sourced from a crack that is approaching the nerve ending and might need to be crowned. The crack could be easier to see without metallic fillings in the way.

Teeth-Strengthening

As we mentioned previously, there isn’t any research to back up claims that silver fillings strengthen teeth; however, there is evidence to suggest that white fillings make teeth stronger. Because white fillings adhere to the tooth, they are able to disperse the force of chewing across the teeth. This dispersion means that teeth are approximately 15 to 20% stronger than teeth with silver fillings in them.

Mercury-Leaking: Fact or Fiction?

Another hotly-debated topic relating to silver fillings is whether or not there is any veracity to claims that silver fillings leak mercury into your mouth over time. Judging from research done by organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Autism Society of America, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the US Food & Drug Administration and others, the answer is no. So far, there are no studies that conclusively prove and provide evidence that mercury is leaked from silver fillings. Will that change? Maybe. But, as of now, the answer is no. So far, amalgam (silver) fillings appear to be safe and non-toxic.

Appearances

While this probably won’t be of concern to most people (no one’s checking our molars except our dentist), some feel that silver fillings are too noticeable for their tastes and would prefer that the fillings be tooth-colored and less obvious.

Whether or not to replace your silver fillings is debated among the dental community, but there are some positives to doing so. It all depends on what you feel comfortable with. For this question of silver versus white fillings, it’s important to separate fact from fiction and myth from truth, so it must be stated once again that there is no evidence to support the claim that silver fillings leak mercury (but there are certainly other downsides to amalgam fillings).

Talking with a dentist, like Dr. Johnson in Florida, can assist you with deciding whether or not you should replace your filings.

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