Do the white fillings last as long or longer than the mercury fillings?
White (composite resin) fillings offer advantages that mercury fillings do not offer. Obviously white fillings have more cosmetic value than mercury fillings. Other advantages offered by white fillings are that they cause less stress on the teeth. Mercury fillings are metal fillings. They expand and contract when we eat hot and cold foods and liquids. This expansion stresses the teeth causing the tooth to fracture. Many times this will lead to the need for a crown. Mercury fillings are packed into the tooth and are mechanically held in place. This does not help strengthen the tooth. White (composite) fillings actually bond to the tooth and can strengthen the tooth. How long a filling lasts depends on many different factors. I would advise that you consider how the filling affects the tooth rather than how long it will last. Replacing a filling is more conservative and much less expensive than having a tooth crowned.
Related Questions
- If white composite fillings cost more than amalgams and don’t last longer, why do people get them?
- If white composite fillings cost more than amalgams and don’t last longer, why do people get them?
- Can the military take old mercury fillings and replace them with the white kind?
- Do the white fillings last as long or longer than the mercury fillings?
- Why does Dr. Cris use white, mercury free fillings?
- Why does Dr. Cris use white, mercury free fillings?
