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Silver fillings can cause more trouble than they’re worth, often leading to emergency dentistry practices to switch them out for white, tooth-colored fillings. While both fillings do the same job, they don’t work the same. Silver fillings pose potential risks with little benefit, so swapping them out is becoming an incredibly popular option.

These emergency dentistry experts provide three key reasons to swap out your silver fillings.

Silver Fillings Hide Decay 

It’s possible that the mercury in silver fillings could leak and pose harm. The scary part? Since silver fillings don't show up on X-rays, it's difficult for dentists to detect any issues, such as tooth decay. These issues won’t pop up on an X-ray until they become severe, and by that point you could easily need a root canal procedure. With the naked eye alone, a dentist can only see about half of what he would notice with white fillings. Since white fillings show up on X-rays, these issues can be spotted early, eliminating the need for painful and costly emergency dentistry procedures.

Emergency DentistrySilver Fillings Can Crack Teeth

Cracks in teeth also won’t show up in X-rays, and they’re incredibly common in aging adults. If you’ve had silver fillings for a long time, there’s a chance that cracks could have gotten quite deep, requiring other procedures. Since silver fillings don’t strengthen teeth, they provide no support for cracking teeth, including cracks that occur naturally with aging. Breaking and cracking are common issues with silver fillings, and they often aren’t noticeable until it’s too late. White fillings strengthen teeth to help prevent chips and cracks from even occurring, providing a cheaper, less painful option in the long run.

Tooth-Colored Fillings Eliminate These Issues 

Unlike silver fillings, which are simply packed in, white fillings are adhered closely to the tooth. This provides more room for that tooth to chew, strengthening it naturally. When chewing is evenly distributed, cracks are less likely to occur. However, a crack will be visible under an X-ray, so you can potentially solve the issue early. The color of white fillings makes it much easier to see any damage, even with the naked eye. Spotting damage at an early stage will help prevent costly and unnecessary future procedures.

If you’re concerned about your silver fillings and want to make the swap, head to Kodiak’s ​​​​​​Bridgeview Dental Group. Visit their website for more information on their services, including emergency dentistry. If you’re in need of a checkup, call (907) 486-3257 to schedule your appointment today.

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