In short: Tooth-coloured (composite) fillings are the popular modern choice — they match your teeth and bond to them, so less tooth is removed, but they cost more. Silver amalgam is very durable and cheaper but grey and less used now. For visible and most everyday teeth, tooth-coloured fillings are usually preferred; a dentist advises per tooth.
Both types repair a decayed tooth well, but they differ in look, durability and how much tooth needs removing. Here’s an honest comparison:
Tooth-coloured (composite) fillings
- Match your natural tooth colour — invisible, ideal for front and visible teeth.
- Bond directly to the tooth, so the dentist can remove less healthy tooth structure.
- Free of metal.
- Slightly less hard-wearing than amalgam on very large back-tooth cavities, and cost a bit more.
Silver amalgam fillings
- Very strong and long-lasting, especially for large fillings on back teeth.
- Cheaper.
- Grey/silver colour — visible and less popular cosmetically.
- Require removing a bit more tooth to hold them in place, and contain mercury bound with other metals (considered safe, but see the next question).
Which is better? For most people today, tooth-coloured composite is the preferred choice — natural-looking, conservative, and more than durable enough for everyday fillings. Amalgam still has a place for some large back-tooth restorations where maximum durability and lower cost matter. The best choice depends on the tooth’s position, the cavity size, and your preference.
At our practice we use natural-looking tooth-coloured fillings as standard — book an appointment and we’ll advise what’s best for your tooth.