White Fillings vs Silver Fillings: Which Is Better?

You have a cavity, and your dentist asks whether you want a white filling or a silver one. It sounds like a simple question, but most people have never been given the facts to answer it.

Here is the honest comparison, so you can make the call with confidence at the chair.

What is the difference between white and silver fillings?

White fillings are made of composite resin, a tooth-coloured mix of plastic and fine glass particles. Your dentist places it in layers and hardens each one with a blue light. It bonds directly to the tooth.

Silver fillings are made of dental amalgam, a metal blend of silver, tin, copper and mercury. It has been used for well over a century and is placed as a soft material that sets hard.

White fillings vs silver fillings at a glance

	White (composite)	Silver (amalgam)
Appearance	Colour-matched to your tooth	Visible silver-grey
Typical lifespan	Often 7 to 10 years or more	Often 10 to 15 years
Cost	Higher	Lower
Tooth removed	Usually less, it bonds to the tooth	Usually more, it needs a shaped space to hold
Best suited to	Front teeth, small to medium fillings	Large back-tooth fillings, tricky moisture control
Visits	One, but takes longer	One, quicker to place

These are general ranges. The right choice depends on the tooth, the size of the cavity and how your bite works.

When a white filling makes sense

• The tooth shows when you smile or talk, such as front teeth and premolars.

• The cavity is small to medium, so more of your natural tooth can be kept.

• You want the repair to be hard to spot.

• You are repairing a chip or worn edge at the same time.

Because composite bonds to the tooth, your dentist often does not need to remove as much healthy structure to hold it in place. That is a real advantage.

When a silver filling still makes sense

Amalgam has not disappeared for a reason. It is strong, forgiving and cheaper. It tends to suit large fillings in back teeth that take a lot of chewing pressure, and spots where it is hard to keep the tooth dry while the filling is placed.

A Canadian health technology review by CADTH found amalgam fillings appeared to last longer and cost less than composite, with no clinically important difference in safety between the two.

Are silver fillings safe?

This is the question we hear most. Amalgam contains mercury, but once it is set and combined with the other metals it is stable. The Canadian Dental Association says no harmful effects are known to result from the average level of mercury exposure from amalgam fillings.

That said, some patients simply prefer not to have metal in their mouth, and that is a perfectly good reason to choose white. If you have a known metal allergy or a medical concern, tell your dentist before treatment.

What about replacing old silver fillings?

If an old silver filling is intact and the tooth around it is healthy, there is usually no medical need to replace it. Taking out a sound filling means drilling away more tooth. We usually recommend replacement only when the filling is cracked, leaking, worn down, or decay has started underneath.

If a large filling has left too little tooth to support it, a crown may be the stronger option. Our guide to what to expect with a dental crown in Toronto explains when that happens.

What do fillings cost in Toronto?

White fillings generally cost more than silver, and the price rises with the size of the filling and the number of surfaces involved. Some insurance plans pay only the silver-filling rate on back teeth, so ask for a written estimate first. We break down typical prices in our dental filling cost guide for Toronto.

Do not wait on a cavity

Whichever material you choose, the bigger risk is leaving the decay alone. A small cavity is a quick, simple repair. A large one can lead to a root canal or an extraction. Read what happens if you leave a cavity untreated if you have been putting it off.

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer, white or silver fillings?

Silver fillings often last somewhat longer, commonly 10 to 15 years. White fillings commonly last 7 to 10 years and can go longer with good care. Grinding, a large filling and poor hygiene all shorten the life of either type.

Do white fillings feel different from silver ones?

Not once you have healed. Some people notice mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days after either type. If it lasts more than a couple of weeks or gets worse, call us.

Can I switch from silver to white fillings?

Yes, if the old filling needs replacing anyway, or if you want it replaced for appearance. Your dentist will tell you honestly whether the tooth can take a white filling or needs a crown instead.

Will my dentist pressure me into white fillings?

They should not. A good dentist explains the options for your specific tooth, gives you a price, and lets you decide.

Not sure which filling is right for your tooth? Schedule an appointment with Lornview Dental and we will walk you through your options before any work begins.