If you have silver mercury amalgam fillings in your teeth, you know how they can detract from the appearance of your smile, turning teeth dark and gray. But it may surprise you to know that these filings – place in your teeth to protect them – can actually harm them. It’s the primary reason I restore teeth with white composite fillings in my Little Falls, NJ dental practice.

What makes metal amalgam fillings so harmful is that they react to temperature changes. When exposed to heat, like coffee, tea or soup, they expand. When exposed to cold, like ice cream, iced tea, they contract. All this expanding and contracting within your tooth can cause your tooth to fracture. It can also create a space between the filling and the tooth wall, allowing bacteria to get in and cause decay that can go undetected.

White composite fillings are made of a strong composite resin material that is an excellent choice for repairing or restoring teeth. The resin does not react to temperature changes, so the restoration doesn’t move in your tooth. And because they’re white, they virtually disappear into the tooth; they’re completely undetectable in your smile. The composite resin restorations are placed directly in the tooth in one appointment.

The next time you need a cavity filled, insist on a white composite resin filling. You’ll be improving your health and your appearance. If you would like to replace any existing metal amalgam fillings with safer, stronger composite fillings, call my Little Falls dental office today.