Quick answer
Tooth-colored (composite resin) fillings blend in with your natural teeth and bond directly to the tooth, often allowing your dentist to remove less healthy structure. Silver (amalgam) fillings are very durable and have been used for over a century. Today many patients choose composite for its natural look, but the best material depends on the size and location of the cavity.
If your dentist finds a cavity, one of the first questions you may have is what the filling will be made of. Here’s how the two most common options compare.
What is a tooth-colored filling?
Composite resin is a tooth-colored mixture of plastic and fine glass particles. Your dentist shapes it directly on the tooth and hardens it with a special light. Because it bonds to the tooth, it can support remaining tooth structure and often requires less drilling.
What is a silver filling?
Amalgam is a blend of metals including silver, tin, copper and mercury bound into a stable alloy. It’s strong, long-lasting and has been used for generations. Major health organizations, including the FDA, have reviewed amalgam; recent FDA guidance suggests certain higher-risk groups, such as pregnant people and young children, consider alternatives when appropriate.
Side-by-side comparison
- Appearance: Composite matches your tooth color; amalgam is visibly silver and may darken over time.
- Tooth preservation: Composite bonds to the tooth and often needs less healthy tooth removed.
- Durability: Amalgam is very durable in large, heavy-chewing areas; modern composites are strong and long-lasting for most cavities.
- Sensitivity: Either can cause temporary sensitivity after placement.
- Cost and insurance: Composite may cost somewhat more, and coverage varies by plan.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Not necessarily. If your amalgam fillings are intact and the tooth is healthy, there’s usually no need to remove them. Your dentist may recommend replacing a filling if it’s cracked, leaking or has decay around it.
What to expect when getting a filling
- Your dentist numbs the area with local anesthetic.
- The decayed part of the tooth is removed.
- The tooth is cleaned and prepared.
- The filling material is placed, shaped and polished.
- Your bite is checked so everything feels natural.
Most fillings take less than an hour. Your mouth may feel numb for a few hours afterward. Learn more about our tooth-colored fillings, or read how to prevent cavities in the first place.
Key takeaways
- Composite fillings match your natural tooth color.
- Composite bonds to the tooth and often needs less drilling.
- Amalgam is durable; intact silver fillings usually don’t need replacing.
- Most fillings are done in one visit in under an hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long do tooth-colored fillings last?
Composite fillings commonly last many years with good care. Lifespan depends on the size and location of the filling, your bite and your habits.
Do fillings hurt?
The area is numbed before treatment, so most people feel pressure but not pain. Mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.
Can I eat after a filling?
Composite fillings harden immediately, but wait until numbness wears off before chewing so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue.
Need a dentist in Charlotte?
Cusp Dental Group welcomes new patients at three offices: SouthPark, Blakeney and Steelecroft. Same-day emergency appointments are available.
This article is for general education and isn’t a substitute for a personal dental exam or professional advice. If you have pain, swelling or a dental injury, contact a dentist promptly.
