Composite Filling

At Hiddenbrook Dental composite (tooth colored) material is preferred for all fillings. While amalgam (silver) fillings have been used for over 100 years, they can increase the risk of damage to the surrounding tooth structure. Amalgam is a mixture of metals that bind together to create a hard filling material. With the obvious disadvantage of not being tooth colored, the major concern has to do with the excessive removal of tooth structure required for retention of an amalgam filling. This ultimately increases the risk of fracture in the tooth structure holding the filling in place. Composite resins, unlike amalgam, will bond to the tooth structure and therefore fill the cavity and add retentive strength. The resin is able to mimic the appearance of a natural tooth and has a reduced risk of fracture and undue wear on surrounding teeth. The nature of the material requires less drilling and is much kinder to the surrounding teeth, thus decreasing the potential for additional treatment of adjacent tooth structure. Dr. Groom is happy to answer any questions you may have about composite versus amalgam fillings. Additionally, our insurance specialist will navigate through your insurance benefits and provide you with a detailed summary of costs for your treatment plan.