Amalgam Fillings VS White Composite Fillings

Amalgam or composite fillings? This is a very controversial topic when discussing the pro’s and con’s of each type of filling. Amalgam (better known as silver fillings) has been used for tooth restoration for over 150 years, but over the last decade or so there has been much debate on whether or not it’s safe to still use amalgam for fillings. It has been shown that the amalgam mixture contains approximately 50% mercury, which is known as a toxic heavy metal. This has raised many flags with people; because Mercury vapor are cyto-toxic, which means that it kills cells, even when the exposure is minute.

Mercury can be absorbed into the lungs and the arterial blood and is stored by your body, primarily in your kidneys, liver and brain. And no level of this mercury vapor is considered safe. The ADA states the amalgam fillings are "safe, durable, cost-effective material and completely harmless”

The Pro’s to having amalgam fillings are:

• Amalgam fillings are relatively inexpensive and they are usually covered by most dental insurance companies

• Amalgam fillings are very strong and usually do not break due to heavy chewing on the filled tooth

Cons of silver amalgam fillings:

• Amalgam fillings are made with mercury and other metals. There has never been a study to prove the relationship between the mercury in amalgam and any medical dangers, but it is well known that mercury is a very deadly metal.

• Amalgam fillings are known to have more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, because the metal expands and shrinks with the temperature of the food or drink that is being eaten.

• Amalgam fillings take longer to harden, so you may not chew on the tooth with the filling for a few hours after having it placed.

• A larger amount of tooth is taken out when placing amalgam fillings.
Pros of white composite fillings

• White composite filling material contains acrylic and glass particles, no mercury, so there is no danger of mercury poisoning ever occurring.

• White composite looks much more natural than amalgam filling. Most of the time you can’t even tell you have a filling.

• Less healthy tooth is disposed when placing a composite filling.


• White composite fillings are light cured which causes them to harden faster so you are able to chew on the side of your fillings when placed.

Cons of white composite fillings

• White composite fillings may be slightly more expensive, but most people rather pay extra for the look and the safety of the composite fillings

Dr. Sherzoy of Bergen County always has the health of his patients in mind when speaking to them about their old fillings. Dr. Sherzoy says “I prefer to use white Composite Fillings on my patients because I feel more comfortable knowing I’m not using a toxic metal”

Visit our website at www.bogotadentalcenter.com or www.Dentistbergencounty.com to learn more.

About Dr. Sultan Sherzoy

For over 16 years, Dr. Sherzoy has been providing the Bogota New Jersey community with excellent dental care. Dr. Sherzoy specialized in all aspects of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, periodontal disease, advanced prosthodontics and full mouth rehabilitation and root canal therapy.

Dr. Sherzoy is an active member of the ADA (American Dental Association), AGD (Academy of General Dentistry), ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantologist) and AOI (Academy of Osseo Intergration). He is also a fellow of ICOI, finally a regular attendee of the American Society of Dental Aesthetics.

Contact Information

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Bogota Dental Center

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