A patient may prefer silver fillings over gold because of the lower cost involved. However, the life of a silver filling may be much shorter compared to a gold filling. Silver fillings may not be able to withstand the high wear and tear and the biting forces of the teeth for a very long time. As a result, the silver metal may begin to leak around the edges. This will make the teeth appear dark or gray colored.

The best option for a patient whose silver fillings have gone bad is to have them replaced with gold or porcelain fillings. Very small silver fillings towards the front of the mouth can typically be replaced with composite resins. These are also known as bonding. These are very aesthetic, white materials that match with the color of the teeth very closely.

For larger fillings in the front teeth that can be seen from outside, porcelain may be the preferred option. Porcelain also matches with the tooth color quite naturally. Therefore, the aesthetics of the patient are not compromised.

However, the back teeth will not be visible from outside and gold may be the best material to be used as a filling for them. Only the patient and the dentist will know about these fillings and nobody else will notice them. Gold is the most durable restorative material available in dentistry. Therefore, gold fillings can withstand a lot of pressure and stay in place for a long time. Dr. David Guyot recommends gold fillings for the molars because of the high chewing pressure in that area.

Gold is also a highly biocompatible material that fits with the natural teeth almost perfectly. Due to its high stability and resilience, a minimal amount of gold filling can serve the purpose. This helps to conserve the original tooth structure to a considerable extent.

Dr. Guyot will educate the patient about all the available options. Only in consultation with the patient will a final choice for a filling will be made to replace a silver filling that has gone bad.