If you're like most adults of today, you have a few fillings somewhere in your mouth.  And the chance that those fillings are silver (also known as amalgam) is even higher, especially if they're older fillings.  Nowadays there is another option of fillings: white composite fillings.  You may wonder what the pros and cons of each type of fillings are.  This article is here to inform you of just that: the pros and cons of silver amalgam fillings, and then a brief mention of the pros and cons white composite fillings. 

Pros of silver amalgam fillings
    Amalgam fillings are relatively inexpensive and they are usually covered by most dental insurance companies
    Amalgam fillings are very strong and usually do not break due to heavy chewing on the filled tooth

Cons of silver amalgam fillings
    Amalgam fillings contain mercury and some other metals.  Although there has never been a study to prove the relationship between the mercury in amalgam to any medical dangers, it is well known that mercury in and of itself is a very deadly metal.
    Amalgam fillings have been known to leave people's teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.  This is due to the metal expanding or shrinking with the temperature of the food or drink that we consume.
    Amalgam fillings do not harden immediately, so you may not chew on the tooth with the filling for several hours after the filling has been placed.
    A significant amount of healthy tooth area is removed when getting an amalgam filling.  The dentist needs more space to prepare for the filling when using amalgam.  This can be damaging to the remaining healthy parts of the tooth.
    Not all dentists work with amalgam filings anymore.  So if you choose to get amalgam fillings and then switch dentists, it's possible that s/he will not be able to work with your fillings.

Pros of white composite fillings
    White composite filling material contains acrylic and glass particles, no mercury, so there is no danger of mercury poisoning ever occurring. 
    White composite looks much more natural than amalgam filling.  Sometimes you can't even tell that you have a filling there.  When you smile, no one will have to see silver fillings, just nice, white teeth. 
    White composite fillings are less stress on your teeth than amalgam fillings because the dentist does not need to remove as much area of healthy tooth.  This keeps the tooth stronger and less likely to experience further problems.
    White composite fillings are usually "light cured" today, meaning that the acrylic material remains a liquid until a very bright light is shined on it, causing it to harden.  Using a "light cured" method allows for your filling to be chewed on almost immediately. 

Cons of white composite fillings
    White composite fillings may be slightly more expensive than amalgam fillings, however, most people find that they are usually well worth the cost. 
    Not all dentists work with white composite fillings. 

There are pros and cons to both amalgam fillings and composite fillings; although it seems that white composite fillings have a few more benefits.  They are definitely the up-and-coming method of filling cavities.  This is not to say, however, that you should demand white composite fillings from your dentist.  Composite fillings require a different type of training to place them and not all dentists are well trained in the process.  Be sure that if you choose to get white composite fillings, that your dentist feels comfortable placing them.