When you go to the dentist because you have a cavity, you generally will get a filling. You have one of two options, silver amalgam or white composite. So how do you know which one to choose? That is a personal choice, but here are 5 reasons to get white composite fillings:

1. They look better: Composite fillings are called white, but can be slightly off white as well. They are intended to restore the natural appearance of the tooth, and thus are far more aesthetically pleasing than a silver amalgam filling. We do live in an appearance conscious world, and if you want a bright beautiful smile, having silver filled cavities is not the answer. You can make your teeth look perfect, as though you have never had a cavity in your life by using a filling that does not stand out, rather matches your tooth color. So, for cosmetic, vanity, and aesthetic purposes, white composite fillings are the way to go.

2. Less tooth structure is removed: When you get a filling, a cavity is removed, and scraped away and cleaned, and the filling is put in its place. However, if you have a very minor, or surface cavity, with a silver amalgam filling, you sometimes have to remove extra healthy tooth in order to create a big enough surface for the seal and filling to bond to. With white composite fillings the hole that is filled can be smaller, and less tooth structure must be removed. This is a very good thing. It means your teeth will be stronger, and more natural.

3. Stronger teeth: while with silver amalgam fillings the filling material is stronger, the tooth itself becomes weaker and more prone to fracture. White composites on the other hand don't make your teeth weak. This in turn saves you money. Although upfront, white composite fillings cost more, because they bond to the tooth, they restore most of the original strength of the tooth, and thus your tooth is less likely to have future problems, which means less money down the road.

4. Not as much pain: sometimes after you get a cavity filled your tooth is going to be sensitive and may even have dull pain and aching. Teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with silver amalgam fillings. So, if you are super sensitive to pain, or want a faster recovery, find a dentist that can properly do white composite fillings.

5. No mercury: White composite fillings are mercury-free! They are slightly softer than silver fillings, but they are also not toxic to you, look better, and are mercury-free. For this reason alone many people have opted to have their old silver fillings replaced with white composite fillings.

These are 5 great reasons to choose white composite fillings, but this does not mean white composite fillings are for everyone. If you choose to get white composite fillings make sure that you have a dentist skilled in placing them as they take extra care, and a special technique.