Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Know the Difference: Traditional Filling vs Composite Filling


When it comes to fillings, it is important to be able to distinguish which dental restoration method is right for you. Markham dentist work tirelessly to make sure you have access to information that will give you insight into the performance, durability, longevity, and expense of your fillings. By asking yourself how much tooth structure remains, where and how the filling needs to be placed, and the chewing load that the tooth will be required to bear, you can make an informed decision about whether you need traditional or composite fillings.

Traditional Filling

Traditional dental fillings are usually made of silver amalgam, but can also be other materials like cast gold. The strengths of a traditional filling include:


  • Strength and durability
  • Useful for back teeth that are used more forcefully
  • Less expensive than composite alternatives

While some of the disadvantages can be:


  • Does not match teeth color
  • May involve destroying more tooth in order to make space for amalgam filling
  • Can cause grayish discoloration of surrounding teeth
  • Expansion and contraction of the filling can cause tooth fractures in rare cases
  • Some chance of allergy to the material
Composite Filling

Composite dental fillings can be tooth-colored because they are made of plastic and glass materials. The strengths of a composite filling include:


  • They can match the color of current teeth which can be handy for front teeth
  • They chemically bond to the tooth structure to help support it


Continue reading for more details.

Contact Us:

Markham 7 Dental
Address: 5954 Hwy 7 unit c,
City: Markham
State: Ontario
Zip Code: L3P 1A2
Phone: 905-294-2700
Email: markham7dental@gmail.com