Should You Replace Old Silver Fillings With Tooth-Colored Ones?
Many adults still have silver fillings from years ago and wonder whether they should come out. In most cases, an intact silver filling with no decay can stay, while a cracked or leaking one is a good candidate for tooth-colored fillings.
Our Plantation, FL dentists check older fillings at every exam and suggest swapping one only when there's a clear reason.
Here's how to tell whether your old fillings should stay or go.
What Silver Fillings Are Made Of
Silver fillings are dental amalgam, a mix of liquid mercury with a powdered alloy of silver, tin and copper. Dentists have relied on them for decades because they are strong and hold up well on chewing teeth.
Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, a plastic resin reinforced with powdered glass filler. They contain no mercury and are shaded to match the enamel around them.
Why a Healthy Silver Filling Can Stay
The FDA says when an amalgam filling is in good condition with no decay beneath it. Drilling out a sound filling also takes some healthy tooth structure with it.
Removing an intact filling can briefly raise the mercury vapor released during the procedure. The American Dental Association continues to call for the general population.
Signs an Old Filling Needs Attention
No filling lasts forever. Cleveland Clinic notes that fillings can , depending on the material.
A filling may be wearing out when you notice:
- A crack, chip or dark gap along its edge
- Food catching in the same spot
- Pain when you bite down
- New sensitivity to hot or cold
Some of these can also point to common toothache causes unrelated to a filling, so a closer look matters.
How a Dentist Checks Your Fillings
During an oral exam, our dentists use a small instrument called an explorer to check each tooth for decay and gaps around fillings. Digital X-rays can reveal decay under a filling that isn't visible from the surface.
If an old filling is still sealed and solid, we'll simply keep an eye on it at your next visit.
When Tooth-Colored Fillings Make Sense
Once a silver filling needs replacing, composite resin is often the natural next step. It can be used on , and it blends in with the rest of your smile.
Composite fillings may also leave you with less temperature sensitivity after placement. Some studies show composite can be less durable than amalgam, so it's a trade-off worth talking through.
When a Crown May Be the Better Fix
Large silver fillings sometimes leave little healthy tooth behind. If the damage is too big for a filling, a crown can cover and protect what remains.
Our dentists try a filling first when it makes sense, since a crown takes a few more steps. You can read how dental crowns protect weak teeth when a filling isn't enough.
Keeping a New Filling Healthy
Any filling lasts longer with good daily care and regular checkups. These habits that prevent cavities also help stop new decay from forming around the edges of a restoration.
If a tooth needs more support down the road, our restorative dentistry services include crowns, bridges and implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should pregnant women have their silver fillings taken out?
Usually not, as long as the fillings are intact. The FDA lists pregnant women among the groups at higher risk from mercury exposure, but it does not recommend removing amalgam fillings in good condition for them, since removal can briefly increase mercury vapor.
Cleveland Clinic shares the same guidance. If a filling is broken or decayed during pregnancy, talk with your dentist about timing and materials.
Can I replace a silver filling just because I don't like the look?
Yes, it's an option, but it comes with a trade-off. Removing a sound filling takes away some healthy tooth structure, and the new filling will eventually need replacing too.
Our dentists can show you which fillings are visible when you smile and which are holding up well. That way you can decide which, if any, are worth changing for appearance alone.
How long does it take to replace an old filling?
Replacing a single filling is typically done in one visit. Placing composite generally takes a little longer than placing a metal filling, because the tooth has to stay clean and dry while the material goes in.
The American Dental Association notes this extra step on its composite fillings page. Replacing several fillings may be spread over more than one appointment.
Will insurance cover replacing a silver filling with a tooth-colored one?
It depends on your plan and the reason for the replacement. Composite costs more than amalgam, and some plans don't cover it fully, especially when the old filling is still sound.
Barr Dental Group can bill your dental plan as a courtesy. For an exact benefit amount, request a pre-treatment estimate before any work starts; processing usually runs 6 to 8 weeks.
Are the tooth-colored fillings at Barr Dental Group mercury-free?
Yes. The composite resin used for tooth-colored fillings at Barr Dental Group is a plastic resin reinforced with powdered glass filler, with no mercury in it.
These fillings can treat cavities of various sizes on front or back teeth, matched to the shade of your natural enamel. Call Barr Dental Group at (954) 327-7400 with questions.
Talk With Us About Your Old Fillings
If you're unsure about an old silver filling, our Plantation, FL dentists can check it and talk through tooth-colored fillings with you. Call Barr Dental Group today at (954) 327-7400 or request an appointment online.