The debate rages on! Silver or white fillings (mercury-free fillings). About half of a silver filling is liquid mercury and the other half is a powdered alloy of silver, tin, and copper. Mercury is used to bind the alloy particles together in a strong, durable, and solid filling. It is interesting to note that the mercury found in silver fillings is not the same as that found in some types of fish. The question is often asked as to whether silver fillings should be removed. The answer is that if a filling is in good condition, and no decay is present, the FDA does not recommend replacement. By removing sound fillings, this could result in unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure, and risks exposure to mercury vapor released during removal.
The alternative to silver is the white (composite) filling – a mercury-free filling. None of the aforementioned issues come with this material. It is more esthetic and the question remains if it is as strong as amalgam. The newer materials are more durable and easier to manipulate by the dentist. More and more this material is being used instead of silver. Insurance companies however still will not pay as much for the equivalent composite filling as for silver ones. Be sure to ask your dentist about this before going ahead with the recommended treatment.
