Silver filling, also known as AMALGAM filling, is a typically silver-colored filling made of a blend of metals such as silver, mercury, tin and copper.

The Problem

The Solution

The Procedure

Advantages

Disadvantages

Alternatives

The Problem:

Decay or accidental damage to a tooth
When cost is an overriding issue
When esthetics is NOT important

The Solution:

Silver filling is used to replace part of the tooth that has been lost due to decay or accidental damage.

The Procedure:

The dentist will remove any decay, old filling or weak part of the tooth that needs the filling, then he will shape the hole in the tooth. The soft amalgam (silver filling) is then pressed into the hole and carved to fit the hole.

Advantages:

Silver filling material has a 150-year proven track record, is very durable and the least expensive material to fill a cavity.

Disadvantages:

Silver filling is completely unaesthetic and cosmetically poor. It can stain the surrounding soft tissue (cheeks and gums) with a permanent grayish color.

Since silver fillings do not bond to the tooth structure, they require the removal of more healthier tooth structure than necessary, which weakens the tooth causing a possible tooth fracture. Also, the expansion and contraction of the silver filling to the repeated presence of hot and cold liquids can crack or fracture the tooth.

Alternatives:

Composite (white) fillings, inlays and onlays and crowns are excellent alternatives depending on the amount of decay and when a beautiful white smile is important to achieve.