The silver amalgam fillings were the most popular choice for decades, and these were comprised of liquid mercury, along with silver, copper, and tin.
The mercury served as a binding agent to make the filling material strong. Some people also had gold fillings installed because they are the longest-lasting of all filling types. Of course, they’re also the most expensive filling material which can be used to treat cavities.
These days, a very popular choice for fillings is a composite material that can be colored to have the same appearance as your regular teeth. They have about the same lifespan as the silver amalgam fillings, but they are virtually unnoticeable in your mouth. That is the main reason they have become so popular in recent years.
If it becomes necessary for you to have fillings installed in your teeth, you should let us know about your preferences for filling material. We may not always be able to comply with your wishes, due to the size or location of the cavity, but we’ll always do our best to install the filling of your choice.
Many of our dental patients prefer using metal-free dental fillings these days because they’re much less noticeable when installed in your mouth. If you’re interested in having metal-free dental fillings used on your cavities, you should make a point of informing us during your appointment.
Contact us at
Dr. Maitri Patel’s dental clinic in Ocoee, FL, and we’ll be sure to use metal-free dental fillings if it is at all possible.