Silver fillings are an interesting dilemma in dentistry. For many years they were the best material we had available to place into a tooth after removing a cavity. Good thing the times have changed and our technologies have improved so much! The tooth colored filling materials we use today are very effective, last a long time, and look much better. The debate about mercury in silver fillings is beyond the scope of this video. There are strong beliefs on both sides of that argument and I don't think I can change your mind if you feel strongly one way or another. 

What I want to talk about today is what happens to a tooth that has had a silver filling for many years. A silver filling is made of metal. Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes. So every time you have something hot or cold to drink, your old silver filling is expanding and contracting a little bit. Over time this is kind of like ice which forms in the cracks of a sidewalk. If you live in Vestal, New York like me then you know how much damage that ice can cause to roads and sidewalks over time. The same thing is happening to your tooth with a silver filling and the cracks that form can create some serious problems if nothing is done. Once there cracks start to be visible around a filling I often recommend the silver filling be replaced. If the cracks are very large or very deep, sometimes a filling isn't enough and the tooth may actually need a crown to prevent it from breaking into pieces. 

Today's video talks more about when silver fillings need to be replaced. As always, if you have any questions about silver fillings in your mouth, please call us to set up an appointment and we will be happy to help you.

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