Silver vs. White Fillings: What's the Difference?
This article was originally published on benefitsbridge.unitedconcordia.com by Jennifer Mitchell on October 4, 2016
Did you know that nearly all adults have had cavities at some point? A staggering 92 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth, while 26 percent have untreated cavities. Since cavities are so common, it’s a good idea to offer your employees a dental insurance plan that covers fillings. Many plans cover silver fillings, but not white fillings, which can be confusing for you and your employees.
Here’s what you need to know about silver vs. white fillings so, should you develop a cavity, you can make an informed decision about which type of filling is best for you.
Silver vs. White Fillings: The Basics
Silver-colored fillings—also called dental amalgams—are made of a combination of metals such as silver, tin, copper
Silver vs. White Fillings: What’s the Difference?
Silver fillings are very durable, so they’re a good choice for teeth that need to withstand a lot of force, such as molars. The material used in silver fillings also hardens more quickly, so it’s easier for dentists to place it in moist areas, such as those beneath the gum line. Silver fillings are also less expensive than white fillings, so they’re good for your bottom line.
The main advantage of white fillings is their color. If you develop a cavity in a highly visible part of your mouth, you may prefer a tooth-colored filling. However, these fillings are weaker than silver fillings and might not last as long. Recurrent decay (the cavities that form underneath a filling) is also a bigger problem with white fillings than with silver fillings.