In the past, amalgam fillings were used for cavities. When should you have them replaced with white fillings?
My dentist has already advised me several times to replace my old fillings with white fillings. I doubt, because the old one doesn't bother me at all. But I hear from more and more people that they have had it done. Why is it important to get new, white fillings? And are there any drawbacks? P.S., DEN BOSCH
Dentist Mascha Koster answers:
Benefits of white fillings
'White fillings have three advantages. They are tooth-colored, and therefore less noticeable than amalgam fillings (which are gray). The white filling material is glued to the tooth or molar, so that no healthy parts of the tooth or molar have to be ground away (this is necessary with an amalgam filling). Thirdly, the adhesive technique also ensures good adhesion of the filling to the tooth or molar, making it stronger.
Disadvantages of white fillings
White fillings also have drawbacks. Not all white fillings are as strong as amalgam, which is why they are sometimes not used for large fillings in the molars. It is also more laborious to apply a white filling than an amalgam filling. Many more actions are required to repair teeth or molars with white filling material. It therefore also takes more time. White fillings are therefore more expensive.
Have old amalgam fillings replaced
In practice, this means that old fillings are mainly replaced if the existing ones are worn out due to fracture, poor edge connection or if caries (tooth decay) is present. But these causes need not give rise to complaints.'
