Frequently Asked Questions

Amalgam Fillings

Date Posted: 7/12/2005

Question If amalgam is so great, why does my dentist use white or 'tooth-coloured' fillings?

Answer White fillings have been used in front teeth for decades. In recent times, scientists have developed strong white filling materials for back teeth to be used as an alternative to the dark colour of amalgam. The reason for this is the public demand for tooth-coloured fillings in visible areas of the mouth. These materials have not been in use for enough time to test their long-term comparison with amalgam but results are encouraging. In 1983-4, amalgam was used in 68% of all fillings in Australia. By the late 1990’s this had reduced to less than 30% (NHMRC 1999)

More questions in this category:

What's all the fuss about amalgam fillings?
If amalgam is so great, why does my dentist use white or 'tooth-coloured' fillings?
What is an amalgam filling?
What makes up an amalgam filling?
Is it true that amalgam is dangerous for my baby?
Should I have my amalgam fillings replaced?